Recent heavy rain has boosted reservoir levels in New Zealand’s South Island.
Reports say that water levels in Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau are now 65% full, up from only 40% last week.
In Otago, Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki have been boosted by 200mm (a rise from 49% to 53% full) and 150mm (24% to 26%) respectively. These two lakes together account for 55% of New Zealand’s hydro storage.
However, experts say that although this is an improvement, more water is needed to bring the reservoirs up to optimum storage. Rainfall is predicted for the island’s west coast over the next couple of days.
Spring 2005 was dry, leaving many lakes significantly lower than average for this time of year.