Waitaki hydro storage lakes should be able to cope with heavy rain predicted over the next two days, although a major downpour could pose problems.
In January, Meridian Energy had to spill water from over-filled Pukaki and Tekapo storage lakes.
Yesterday, Meridian was confident its two storage lakes could cope with predicted heavy rain from the low pressure system approaching New Zealand. External relations manager Claire Shaw said if the low pressure system deepened and rain was heavier than predicted then a decision could have to be made early next week on whether to spill water.
Water would be spilled down the Tekapo River today, but that was because of a condition in its resource consent requiring it to release regular recreational flows for kayaking.
Up to just after 2pm yesterday, Mt Cook had had 21.5mm of rain, the upper Ahuriri River 23mm, Dunstan Peaks 20mm and Dansey Pass 22mm. Yesterday afternoon Lake Tekapo was at 709.44m above sea level, below its maximum of 710.9m. Lake Pukaki was 531.64m, also below its maximum of 532m.
