Streams with catchments in the headwaters to the west-southwest of Rotorua, a 60,000-hectare area known as the Rotorua Focus Zone, have been experiencing very low flows throughout the first half of this year.
During this period, both the Paraiti and Ngongotahā streams have at times recorded their lowest ever flows since permanent monitoring began.
After the rain events in late June, Toi Moana has made the decision to move back from Level 2 to Level 1.
There are three alert levels to a dry weather event – Level 1: normal water availability, Level 2: impending water shortage, and Level 3: water shortage event.
Yet, unless there is significant rain over the next few months, the region will likely head into the summer of 2021/22 in a worse starting position than last year. So water users taking water from streams and rivers should be planning for possible restrictions for the future.
For more information head to www.boprc.govt.nz/dry-weather
ENDS
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