Living on a floodplain

Flat land, fertile soils and proximity to water for irrigation and recreation make the lower Waitaki an attractive place to live. As a floodplain however, it is an area naturally exposed to erosion and flooding that can spread across wide areas, impacting people and property.

The goal of Otago Regional Council and Environment Canterbury’s river engineering team is to provide the community with an adequate level of safety, security and resilience from flooding and erosion. Normally, we do this by meeting with the river rating district liaison committee and setting a budget and schedule of works to meet the agreed goals. Unfortunately, we sometimes experience unplanned flood events that cause damage that cannot be remedied with the normal works plan or budget.

Waitaki Bridge