For the first time, plans have been made to warn and shift campers if Waitaki lakes suddenly flood during the Christmas-New Year holiday.
Campers have been warned to be aware of water levels rising, particularly if they are close to the edge of Lakes Waitaki, Aviemore and Benmore, where thousands stay.
In the past, caravans and camp sites have been flooded and people have had to move, sometimes during the night.
Last year, quite a few campers were caught out when lake and river levels rose rapidly as a result of energy companies spilling water.
Heavy rain over these holidays could lead to Meridian Energy and Genesis spilling from the storage lakes.
Waimate and Waitaki District Council Civil Defence have put measures in place for the first time this year to help campers.
''We want to ensure we are well-placed to respond to any event as quickly and effectively as possible to minimise any risk to people and property,'' Waitaki emergency manager Chris Raine said.
Rural fire teams would be visiting lake campsites in Waitaki and Waimate today to inform them to watch water levels and what to do, particularly those close to shores.
Over the weekend and next week, Civil Defence staff would do the same, Mr Raine said.
During the holidays, Civil Defence staff would also keep a watch on lake levels and long-term forecasts so warnings could be issued. Waimate and Waitaki camp supervisors would also keep ''an eye on the situation'' and issue flyers with advice and warnings.`We know where the water levels got to last time, and we want to advise campers of the best spots to camp to avoid getting caught out if it happens again,'' he said.
''By monitoring the situation, hopefully we can warn campers and move them before night if there is danger.''
Even when the weather was beautiful along the Waitaki lakes, it could be pouring with rain along the main divide, common during December and January.
Environment Canterbury has issued a warning about river and lake levels in the Waitaki catchment, particularly with Lake Pukaki close to full yesterday at 532.221m
above sea level. Its maximum operating level is 532.5m. The far smaller Lake Tekapo was at 706.9m above sea level yesterday, its maximum operating level being 709.7m. In the past week, Mt Cook has had 21mm of rain and Dunstan Peaks, near Omarama, 25mm.
