River levels across the Upper Clutha continue to rise as a result of a three-day downpour, which has seen the region drenched with more rain than its usual monthly average for the whole of May.
River flow levels at the confluence of the Clutha and Cardrona Rivers increased to a high alert level yesterday, with a flow of 714 cumecs, more than 100 cumecs above the first flood warning level.
Wanaka had received about 80mm of rain since Thursday evening.
The town's May rainfall average is 62mm.
The deluge has washed out back roads and caused minor landslips across the Upper Clutha.
The Hawea Back Rd, the West Wanaka Rd and the Motatapu Rd all had washouts, which meant the roadways were passable by four-wheel-drive vehicles only.
A bridge abutment had washed out closing the gravel Mead road, which provides access up the northwestern side of Lake Hawea.
A report from the Queenstown Lakes District Council said other damage wrought by the rain included minor washouts on the Mt Aspiring Rd and Newcastle Rd at Hawea Flat.
However, when the clouds cleared over the mountains it became apparent the wild weather had brought a silver lining. Website reports from Treble Cone, Cardrona and Snow Park skifields indicated snowfalls of more than 50cm, with up to a metre near the upper reaches of the fields.
