Tēnā koutou
Tēnā koutou
Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere is currently OPEN to the sea. The wind affected average level at 0800 hrs on Monday the 13th of July was 1.28m
The lake was opened on the 10th of July.
Machinery is currently onsite to maintain the opening as required.
Anyone going on site is reminded that the lake opening site is a controlled Health and Safety area with significant risks.
All visitors must report to Site Supervisor Mike Hyett or Dan Meehan on arrival.
Q: What was the lake level reading before this one?
A: Too windy to determine an average level as at 0800 hrs on Monday 7th July.
Q: When was the lake previously opened to the sea?
A: The lake was mechanically opened on 19th March 2026 and closed naturally on 2nd April 2026.
Q: At what levels can the lake be opened to the sea at this time of year?
A: From the 1st April to 31st July : 1.13 masl
24/7 access to Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere water levels:
Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere levels are now available on our river flow data web page. These levels are average readings taken from the two gauges around the lake, one at Taumutu and the other at Seabridge Road/Nutts Cut. Please note that wind effect should be considered when interpreting this raw data. The wind information is currently not provided on the public web page; however, it may be requested by contacting Customer Services.
Click this link to go to the average lake level data webpage – https://www.ecan.govt.nz/data/riverflow/sitedetails/168307
Or, navigate to the site named Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere (Average) from ECan’s river flow data webpage – https://www.ecan.govt.nz/data/riverflow
For more information on the mechanical opening of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, please visit our web page here: https://ecan.govt.nz/your-region/your-environment/river-and-drain-management/opening-te-waihoralake-ellesmere/
The next update will be on the 13th of July 2026. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Lake level trend over the past 8 weeks (using the average values provided in the weekly email updates):
Water levels are reported as metres above sea level (masl), these levels are relative to the Lyttelton 1937 datum.
Water levels are reported as metres above sea level (masl), these levels are relative to the Lyttelton 1937 datum.
24/7 access to Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere water levels:
Please note that wind effect should be considered when interpreting this raw data. The wind information is currently not provided on the public web page; however, it may be requested by contacting Customer Services.
Click this link to go to the average lake level data webpage – https://www.ecan.govt.nz/data/riverflow/sitedetails/168307
Or, navigate to the site named Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere (Average) from ECan’s river flow data webpage – https://www.ecan.govt.nz/data/riverflow
For more information on the mechanical opening of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, please visit our web page here: https://ecan.govt.nz/your-region/your-environment/river-and-drain-management/opening-te-waihoralake-ellesmere/
Q: Where can I find the resource consent for the lake opening?
A: The Hearing Commissioners decision on the new joint resource consent application by Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and Environment Canterbury was received on Wednesday 22 January 2014. The decision was to grant the application for a period of 15 years subject to a suite of mitigation measures. You can read the decision here: RMA92023020 Decision – Final
Q: What lake opening investigations are being carried out as part of Whakaora Te Waihora?
NIWA and the University of Canterbury have investigated options for an engineered lake level. As part of this project a website has been created which summarises the options that have been considered over the years. There is further information here.