Drought conditions across Central Otago are not as severe as last season, with Falls Dam at 70 per cent capacity compared to just one per cent at the same time in 2024.

Last season the dam was almost empty for weeks, making it the driest season since 1999, when land owners across the Manuherikia catchment moved to just 25% water restrictions.

Falls Dam operations manager Roger Williams said there was much more storage and a bigger inflow this season so far, “and we’re in a far better situation than last year.”

Increased rainfall had been falling in the mountains which acted as a storage ‘sponge,’ keeping the rivers and creeks high.

Last year had been the most challenging of his 35-year career, and the Otago Regional Council put huge pressure on landowners to cut their water use.

Roger said they were also getting south easterlies rather than north westerlies making for cooler nights and more Autumnal weather in recent weeks.

A bout of warm air flow from Australia for long periods pushing up the temperature gauge into the 30s could change things, “and it can cripple us no end. That’s when we get into trouble’’, he said.

Two days ago Falls Dam was at the same level as it was back on December 24, having dropped over Christmas and then recovered again.

“It’s amazing to be at that level.”

Water from Falls Dam near St Bathans takes 28 hours to travel to the bottom of the Manuherikia River in Alexandra FILE SHOT

Farmers have long said for years the 90-year-old dam at the head of the catchment needed to be rebuilt to hold more capacity, and hoped the new National Government would make that a priority.  

Otago regional councillor and farmer Gary Kelliher said it was still a cautious season for farmers.

“It’s getting dry in our valleys now and it's a real unknown how long the dam will last without regular rain top ups.  

“Seasons like last year (which was a drought), and this year which may or may not be, are very challenging when there is such limited storage in Falls dam.”  

Roger said it took a full 28 hours for water to travel from the Falls Dam near St Bathans all the way to the Alexandra Motor Camp, servicing hundreds of landowners along the way.

MetService New Zealand meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said it had been a cool January for most of the country, and most places east of the mountains had seen much cooler than average temperatures since just

after Christmas. 

“In the short term, the next week or so will have more of a summer feel about it for Central Otago, with mostly sunny and settled conditions. 

‘’Warm temperatures are expected throughout the week, possibly reaching 30°C on Friday for some spots. 

“Towards the end of next week winds look likely to pick up from the west or northwest - which may also feel like summer - however there may be a brief bout of rainfall with a passing weather system from the northwest."

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