across all rain gauges. Mean river flows for August were 17.6% lower than typical values, low flows were 7.9% greater, and high flows 27.5% greater than typical values. The maximum river flow recorded was 698.2 m3/sec at Waitara at Bertrand Rd, on 27 August after heavy rainfall at the month. Mean river (non-mountain) water temperatures were 10°C, an average of 0.1°C cooler than long-term August values. The average air temperature for the region (excluding Te Maunga sites) was 10.8°C, which is 0.8°C
river beds. As of last week, five of the seven monitored river sites and one lake were unsuitable for swimming (for humans or dogs) due to cyanobacteria (toxic algae). We will continue to monitor these sites until they return to normal, posting the results on LAWA each week. We’ll do a full analysis of the summer’s results, but most of the samples that exceeded guideline levels were taken after heavy or prolonged rain. We know heavy rain washes contaminants off the land into rivers and out to sea.
Map 1a. YTD total rain (mm) and percentage of long-term mean.
page
Table 1: Rainfall monthly and year to date totals at 27 rain gauge sites in Taranaki.
page
December Year to Date
Rain gauge # days
with rain
Total rain
(mm)
% of typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of typical
full year
Records
Began
N Egmont VC 15 365.0 61 8117.5 118 118 1991
Dawson Falls 16 383.0 88 8349.0 141 141 1933
Kahui
We had a mostly dry February in Taranaki with average rainfall of 63.5mm – 44% less than usual for the month. Brooklands Zoo at New Plymouth had 78% less rain than normal while Omaru at Charlies (in the Southern Hill Country) had 8% less rain than an average February. The dry trend which started in January continued with year to date rainfall an average 22% less than normal, including 48% less at Pātea at Stratford. Mean river flows for February were 45% of typical values, low flows were 29%
consent. The site has not been used in recent years.
The discharge site is approximately 120m long and 25m wide, and is shown in Figure 1.
Pātea Beach is an elevated site which for most of the year is dry. Rain that does fall on the site drains away
at a very rapid rate. The site does not suffer from flooding from rain or tidal action, due to its elevation.
1 The Council has used these compliance grading criteria for more
public do? While NPDC works on bringing the dam up to regulation, it is recommended that residents in affected properties prepare a flood response plan for their family or staff members if a flood alert is raised, so that they know what to do in an emergency. Helpful information is available online here: getready.govt.nz/prepared(external link). All members of the public should also not approach the dam during periods of heavy rain and be careful downstream of the dam.
Find out if it's safe to swim at your local river, lake or beach. Recreational water quality Every Tuesday, from 1 November to 31 March, TRC check the water quality at 41 recreational rivers, lakes and beach sites all over Taranaki. Water sampling results take 3 days from the time of testing to publishing on our website. If you plan to swim today, here are some signs to look out for before jumping into the water. Has it rained in the last three days? Rain washes contaminants from land into
rain (mm) and percentage of long-term mean
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Table 1: October 2022 - Rainfall totals at 27 rain gauge sites in Taranaki
Hydro_Sites # days
with rain
Total rain
(mm)
% of typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of typical
full year
Records
Began
N Egmont VC 21 469.0 62 6997.0 120 101 1991
Dawson Falls 19 501.5 94 7332.0 145 124 1933
Kahui Hut 21 306.0 60 5265.0 121 101 2006
Forest Hill 16 289.0 91 3798.5 128 106
Map1a. YTD total rain (mm) and percentage of long-term mean
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Table 1: Table 1: Rainfall monthly and year to date totals at 27 rain gauge sites in Taranaki.
page
November Year to Date
Hydro_Sites # days
with rain
Total rain
(mm)
% of typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of typical
full year
Records
Began
N Egmont VC 24 755.5 154 7752.5 123 112 1991
Dawson Falls 26 634.0 151 7966.0 146 135 1933
of long-term mean.
Table 1: Rainfall monthly and year to date totals at 27 rain gauge sites in Taranaki.
page
September Year to Date
Hydro_Sites # days
with rain
Total rain
(mm)
% of typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of typical
full year
Records
Began
N Egmont VC 22 573.5 87 6528.0 129 95 1991
Dawson Falls 24 508.5 91 6830.5 151 116 1933
Kahui Hut 24 432.5