Residents of Little River, a town on the Banks Peninsula, are questioning the Christchurch City Council’s response to recent flooding, specifically why Lake Forsyth wasn’t opened to the ocean before the town was inundated.
Recurring Flooding Concerns
Little River experienced significant flooding during a deluge on Monday and Tuesday, marking the second time the town of 300 has been affected by flooding in less than a year; the town was also flooded last May. Residents believe opening Lake Forsyth to the sea could have mitigated the impact of the flooding.
Cameron Gordon, owner of the Little River Cafe and Store, whose business and home were flooded, stated, “Once that lake opened … it drained away pretty quickly.” He expressed frustration with the current process, saying, “I wish they’d open the lake prior to these events every time.”
Lisa Ashfield, owner of a second-hand store also flooded for the second time in ten months, noted that locals’ experience seems to be overlooked. She said that emptying the lake after flooding occurs leads to rapid water recession.
Council Response and Future Plans
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger stated the lake level was low before the recent rainfall, which he described as unprecedented. He believes the Okana River reaching the lake was the primary issue, creating a “bottleneck” that led to the flooding of the entire township.
Mayor Mauger indicated a desire to install a diversion along the Okana River to manage excess water during heavy rain. He also stated that a multimillion-dollar “Ocean Connection” project, designed to allow continual flow between the lake and the sea, is in its final design stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the flooding in Little River?
The town was flooded after a period of heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday, marking the second time it has flooded in less than a year. The Okana River reaching the lake was identified as a contributing factor.
When is Lake Forsyth typically opened to the sea?
The resource consent allows the council to open the lake when it reaches 2.3 metres above mean sea level in spring and summer, or 2.7 metres in autumn and winter. It can also be opened if a storm is predicted to bring the level to those thresholds or threaten inundation.
What is the Ocean Connection project?
The Ocean Connection is a multimillion-dollar project designed to allow continual flow of water between Lake Forsyth and the sea. It is currently in its final design stage.
As the Banks Peninsula braces for increasingly frequent extreme weather events, the question of preventative measures versus reactive responses will likely remain a central point of discussion for Little River residents and the Christchurch City Council.
