Otago Regional Council commissioned NIWA (now Earth Sciences New Zealand) to undertake an assessment of the river morphology – the shape of the river channel and how it has changed through time. The report analyses eleven surveyed cross section profiles of the river alongside Balclutha dated from 1994 to 2024, as well as other survey information dating back to 1878.

ORC Senior Natural Hazards Analyst, Tim van Woerden, says “The assessment shows that in recent decades, the general trend is that riverbed levels at most locations have generally fallen or stayed at similar levels. There have been some changes such as gravel bars moving and these can appear larger or more prominent during periods of low river flows which may lead to perception of a gravel build up, but data shows that any gravel accumulation has been localised and relatively minor in scale.”

“The assessment gives us a solid understanding of the river in its current state and should give assurance to residents about what they’re seeing. We appreciate people getting in touch to share their observations about any changes they’ve seen in the river, local knowledge and reporting is important.”

The assessment shows that mean riverbed levels are stable or falling at all cross sections except one (at the state highway bridge) where there is a weak rising trend. In summary, the current gravel levels in the Lower Clutha River do not present an additional flood risk to Balclutha or surrounding farm land.

Changes in the Clutha River/Mata-Au riverbed at Balclutha and in the wider Clutha Delta area are regularly monitored by ORC. If gravel builds up and did present an impact on the flood hazard, ORC will investigate the targeted removal of gravel. Gravel removal will need to be considered carefully, as removing gravel starves locations downstream which can cause erosion, including at the coastline and may affect flood protection infrastructure such as floodbanks.

As well as giving assurance about the state of the Clutha River at Balclutha, this assessment will also be used by ORC as information for our flood protection work. Monitoring of the Clutha River will continue.
The assessment and a presentation explaining the analysis can be found on ORC’s website:

www.orc.govt.nz/managing-natural-hazards/natural-hazards-adaptation/clutha-river