Pleasure boat owners are advised to check their moorings and secure dinghies and other small craft as lake levels rise across the Queenstown Lakes district today.
Lakes Wakatipu, Wanaka and Hawea are all high following prolonged rain.
Queenstown Harbourmaster Marty Black said boat owners on all three lakes should make the checks.
Mr Black said he received reports of dinghies which had been pulled up above the waterline and left unsecured, but were now beginning to float away as water levels rose.
He also cautioned anyone boating on the lakes this weekend to be aware of floating debris.
Lake Wakatipu is expected to peak at 311.2m early on Monday morning, the Otago Regional Council has warned.
Metservice advised the regional council based on expected heavy rainfall in the headwaters of Otago lakes and rivers, as a series of fronts and troughs followed by a cold southwest flow, move northwards over the South Island on Sunday.
Council spokesman Mark Peart said this may result in pressure on the stormwater system in central Queenstown.
"This anticipated lake level is just below the level where minor ponding occurs in lakeside reserves of 311.3m,'' Mr Peart said.
Council flood managers will monitor the situation during the weekend and issue further updates and specific warnings as required, he said.
