Low levels for Lake Rotorua and Rotoiti
21 January 2014
The current summer dry spell means lakes in the Rotorua region are at low levels and are nearing minimum operating conditions.
Low levels in Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti can occasionally affect navigation and access to jetties in some locations, with lake margin levels up to 10cm below their usual shoreline.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council's principal engineering surveyor, Graeme O'Rourke, said that the situation wasn't critical at this stage, but it was important to let the wider public and lake residents and users know, particularly given it is still early in the dry summer season.
It is not as simple as closing the Okere Gates and waiting for the lake levels to rise, he said. The Gates are carefully controlled under very strict consent conditions and they are currently operating near their minimum flow.
Until we have a significant amount of rain, lake levels will remain low and the regional council will continue to monitor the situation, Mr O'Rourke said.