Notifications of any disruptions to water races

Current disruptions and outages

Disruptions will affect all races downstream and it may take up to 48 hours for flows in races lower down to be fully restored.

If you have any questions about the disruptions below, please contact the Water Services Team.

Monday 22 April 2024

Date: 22/04/2024 - 06/05/2024
Type: Water Race Disruption
Affected Scheme: Upper Ellesmere
Map: N/A
Details: The Upper Ellesmere water race is currently experiencing disruptions, and this will impact flows for the next two weeks.

Thursday 11 April 2024

Date: 11/04/2024 - 18/04/2024
Type: Water Race Outage
Affected Scheme: Malvern Water Race Scheme
Map: N/A
Details: Due to rising flows in the Waimakariri River, the Gorge Intake is being closed which will result in low flows from this part of the Scheme until access can be obtained, and shingle is cleared (if needed). The Kowai River intake is very low; and not able to support flows during this outage.

Thursday 21 March 2024

Selwyn District Council will be cutting weed in the Ararira/LII river from the 25 March 2024 until the end of April 2024.

A barrier will be placed on the river 200m downstream of Wolfes Road boat ramp. This work is in accordance with Environment Canterbury consents CRC000818.1 and CRC000819.

Should you require further information please contact Selwyn District Council on 0800 735 996.

Thursday 28 March 2024

Date: 28/03/2024 – 2/04/2024
Type: Water Race Outage/Disruption
Affected Scheme: Malvern
Map:   N/A
Details: The Kowai River is running low so the flow throughout the Malvern Scheme will have low flows in portions, as well as outages close to this supply point.

Monday 18 March 2024

Date: 18/03/2024 - 21/03/2024
Type: Water race Outage
Affected Scheme: Lower Ellesmere
Map: N/A
Details: There is an outage at the Lower Ellesmere intake. River works are being organised.

Friday 1 March 2024

Date: 05/03/2024 - 10/03/2024
Type: Water Race Disruption
Affected Scheme: Paparua Water Race south of Selwyn Road in Prebbleton, and also through the Rolleston township area.
Map: N/A
Details: The Paparua water race is experiencing low / no flows in the above areas, which will continue until 10 March (approximately).

Thursday 22 February 2024

Date: 22/02/2024 - 29/02/2024
Type: Water Race Disruption
Affected Scheme: All water race schemes
Map: N/A
Details: Due to low river levels, the water race network as a whole will experience low / no flows for the next week.

Monday 29 January 2024

Date: 29/01/2024 - 07/02/2024
Type: Water Race Outage
Affected Scheme: Upper Ellesmere & Malvern
Map: N/A
Details: The Upper Ellesmere and Malvern water races are currently out due to fluctuations of the river flow supplying the scheme intake. A contractor is working on restoring these intakes, unfortunately this may mean low to no flows for the next week.

Wednesday 17 January 2024

Date: 17/01/2024 - 20/01/2024
Type: Water Race Outage
Affected Scheme: Lower Ellesmere
Map: N/A
Details: The lower Ellesmere Irrigation Scheme is currently out due to the loss of the river flow supplying the irrigation scheme intake. A contractor is working on this today to restore the supply, unfortunately this may mean low to no flows for the next few days.

Thursday 4 January 2024

Date: 4/1/2024 - 8/1/2024
Type: Water Race Outage
Affected Scheme: Paparua
Map:  N/A
Details: The Paparua Water Race is running low throughout the scheme and we are expecting low to no flows in the lower portion of the scheme around Rolleston for the rest of this week.