River control & flood protection

The Council maitains flood protection schemes at the lower Waitara River, the lower Waiwhakaiho River, Ōkato, Ōpunake and Waitōtara, with management plans for each scheme.

Flood control in Taranaki - general overview

This leaflet summarises the Waitara, The Valley in New Plymouth, Ōkato, Opunake and Waitōtara flood control schemes, what they’re designed to withstand, and what flood risks may remain.

Taranaki flood schemes summary leaflet (482 KB pdf) (single document only)

Lower Waitara River Flood Control Scheme

The Waitara scheme has been upgraded to 'one in 100-year' standard to protect low-lying parts of the township on both the left and right banks of the river.

Lower Waitara River Flood Control Scheme Asset Management Plan (1.5 MB pdf) (single document only)

Lower Waiwhakaiho River Flood Control Scheme

This scheme had a major upgrade in 2013 to give 'one in 100-year' flood protection to land in 'The Valley' industrial and commercial area on the northern outskirts of New Plymouth.

Lower Waiwhakaiho Flood Control Scheme Asset Management Plan (1.2 MB pdf) (single document only)

Ōkato scheme

The Ōkato scheme has a number of components to manage the alignment of the Stony River, control flooding from the Stony River into the Kaihihi Stream, and limit flooding of the Ōkato swimming pool.

Ōkato Scheme Asset Management Plan (1.2 MB pdf) (single document only)

Ōpunake Flood Control Scheme

This scheme provides protection to Ōpunake township from floods originating in the Hihiwera Stream catchment.

Ōpunake Flood Control Scheme Asset Management Plan (1.2 MB pdf) (single document only)

Waitōtara scheme

This scheme focuses on maintaining a clear main channel in the lower reaches of the Waitōtara stream and at other problem areas, and maintaining the alignment of the main channel in key areas.

Waitōtara Scheme Management Plan (1.9 MB pdf) (single document only)