There is currently a weather watch in place.
Staff are monitoring conditions. This is a good time to get prepared in case the weather worsens.
Be prepared and stay updated.
October 2025
A heavy rain watch has been issued by MetService. We are monitoring weather conditions and lake levels.
ORC monitors lake levels and river flows, using MetService forecasts along with our own data and expertise, we model the predicted effects of rainfall.
Lake flooding is typically slower to starting, meaning we usually have more time to issue warnings.
Our water monitoring sites are automatically updated through the day and night. These are publicly available, and you can view the data.
Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management work with ORC, local councils and other organisations to keep everyone as safe as possible during a flooding situation.
Follow Queenstown-Lakes District Council for updates via Facebook.
During a flood event ORC provides updates via our Facebook page as well as our website to reach as many people as possible. During an emergency follow Otago CDEM for advice. Stay safe.
Stay up to date with the current water levels and flows at sites all over Otago. Our water monitoring sites automatically update through the day and night.
Quick like to find the flood or low flow information on lakes in Otago.
Our Environmental Data Portal gives up to date access to rainfall information across Otago.
This site provides a range of interactive tools to visualise data from Limnotrack's lake monitoring buoys. These solar-powered buoys measure a range of water quality variables in the lake from the surface to near-bottom, as well as recording weather conditions above the lake.
This map shows river and lake flood hazard exposure for all community areas in Otago. For more information on specific community areas, please click on an area of interest in the map and the source report link in the popup box.
Stay Informed - this map shows current situations, updated by Otago Emergency Management.
ORC undertakes monitoring and analysis to forecast how lakes and rivers will respond to heavy rainfall, which enables other agencies like city and district councils, power companies, and (if necessary) civil defence to plan their responses. We have a 24/7 flood duty officer, and a wider flood management team for these situations.
ORC also ensures that pump stations and flood protection schemes are unobstructed and working as intended. ORC’s Lower Clutha flood scheme protects 9,300 hectares of land from inundation in high river flows.
While lake flooding is usually able to be monitored more than flash flooding from rivers, you should still remain prepared for a natural hazard event.
GetReady has helpful information on what you can do to stay safe before, during and after a flood.