On this page: Rainfall warnings and observations, overview of river systems in the Waikato region, Waikato Regional Council emergency management, Waikato regional civil defence, Further information
| Date/time: 14 May 2012 at 11:30am |
| Issued by: Duty Emergency Management Officer 2 |
Rainfall warnings and observations
There are no watches or warnings in place for the Waikato Region at present.
See http://www.metservice.com/national/warnings/index for most up to date information
Observed rainfall
The whole region had substantial rain the last 7 days. The heaviest recorded was 192mm at Golden Cross. The lightest recorded was 32mm at Waingaro. Most of the rain was recorded middle of last week.
For the most up-to-date rainfall information around the region, please refer to our rainfall and river level webpage.
Long-term forecast
Most of the activity is expected to be in the southern areas of Waitomo. Showers, turning to rain this afternoon, heavy at times, with squally thunderstorms and hail. A return to showers this evening. Gusty northerlies. The forecast is for the rain to ease by midweek with the wind moderating and turning southwest.
For the most up-to-date weather forecast information, please refer to the MetService.
Overview of river systems in the Waikato region
Lake Taupo catchment
The river levels in the Lake Taupo system are well below alarm levels and steady.
The water level in Lake Taupo is currently at 356.44. The outflow from Lake Taupo is being managed by Mighty River Power in accordance with the relevant Resource Consents and is currently 65 cumecs. The API is very low and steady at 18.
For the most up-to-date level of Lake Taupo, please refer to the Mighty River Power website.
Waipa River system
The river levels in the Waipa River system are well below alarm levels and steady but may rise a bit the next 2 days.
The API is very low at 23 and steady.
For the most up-to-date river level information, please refer to our rainfall and river level webpage.
Lower Waikato River system
The river levels in the Lower Waikato are well below alarm level and steady but may rise a bit the next 2 days.
Lake Waikare level is currently just above the lower operating level at 5.507m. The control gate is open.
The API is low at 38 and rising.
For the most up-to-date river level information, please refer to our rainfall and river level webpage.
Waihou River system
The Waihou river levels are well below alarm flood levels and steady but may rise a bit the next 2 days.
The API is low at 47 and rising.
For the most up-to-date river level information, please refer to our rainfall and river level webpage.
Piako and Waitoa River system
The Piako and Waitoa River levels are below alarm levels and steady but may rise a bit the next 2 days.
The API is low at 27 and rising.
For the most up-to-date river level information, please refer to our rainfall and river level webpage.
Coromandel River system
Coromandel Peninsula river levels are below alarm levels and steady but may rise a bit the next 2 days.
The API is low at 53 and rising.
For the most up-to-date river level information, please refer to our rainfall and river level webpage.
Waikato Regional Council emergency management
If you have any flooding related enquires, please contact the duty Emergency Management Officer on (027) 499 2120 or emo@waikatoregion.govt.nz.
Waikato regional civil defence
Civil defence issues in the Waikato Region are managed by the Waikato Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Group.
All civil defence issues should be forwarded to your local district or city Council. Alternatively, a range of civil defence contacts are provided on the Waikato CDEM Group's website.
Further information
There is a variety of information available from both the Waikato Regional Council and other agencies to help to keep the community informed about rainfall and river conditions in the Waikato region. Some useful links to this information are:
- Rainfall and river level information collected by the Waikato Regional Council are published on our website and are also available through our 0832 Infolines.
- Lake level information for the Waikato River hydro-electric scheme (including Lake Taupo) is available from Mighty River Power.
- Rainfall, lake and river level information for the Tongariro Power Scheme is available from Genesis Energy.
- Current weather conditions, weather forecasts and severe weather bulletins are available from the MetService.
- Tidal forecasts are available from NIWA.
- Civil defence information is available from the Waikato CDEM Group or the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
- Information on other geological hazards (e.g. earthquakes, volcanos, landslides and tsunamis) is available from Geonet.