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HEAD OF LAKE WAKATIPU


COMMUNITY UPDATE 10 | AUGUST 2021

Tēnā koutou katoa. We hope you are managing to stay warm this season. This month, we have an update regarding the two proposed studies we mentioned in last month’s update.

Upcoming natural hazards studies

We are currently planning for two new natural hazards studies to be done on the Head of Lake Wakatipu area. The first of these will be underway soon and completed by the end of 2021. We are now looking for the right consultants with the best expertise to carry out these studies.

Through the studies, we will find out:
•    Potential hazard and risks of the area in more detail, so that we have more information at our next community discussion about adaptation options
•    How shaking from a major earthquake could affect the area

You can find out about studies that have already been completed here, under Reports.

 
What's next?

This month, researchers from University of Canterbury are planning to trial new LiDAR technologies to map the depth and riverbed characteristics of the Rees River. LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. It uses light pulses from a laser, often mounted on an aircraft, to scan the earth’s surface and generate precise, three-dimensional topographic information. 

ORC has done many LiDAR surveys throughout Otago, including the Dart-Rees floodplains. In contrast to our previous surveys, the new LiDAR technology will be able to capture more detailed information of the riverbed below the water surface. At ORC, we are supporting this project by the university as it could help us better understand Otago’s rivers in a cost-effective way.
 
Figure 1: How the LiDAR technology works
Figure 2: LiDAR topography of Rees delta and Glenorchy, 2019
 
 
Water information

A reminder that ORC’s water information can be viewed in near-real time at our WaterInfo page. Locations of monitoring stations in the Head of Lake Wakatipu area are shown below.
Figure 3: Location of water monitoring sites at the Head of Lake Wakatipu. Lake Wakatipu levels are also monitored by NIWA at Frankton.
 
Head of Lake Wakatipu newsletter sign-up

We have created a sign-up portal on the ORC website so you never miss out on our monthly newsletters. Archives of past newsletters can also be found here under the Newsletter archives tab. 
 
Contacts

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with us, please email us at customerservices@orc.govt.nz or call 0800 474 082.
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