The council expected weeks of work ahead to clear numerous waterways after last month’s wild winds.
Council river management acting team leader Simon Whitton, said following the recent high winds, ORC’s Engineering staff have been actively inspecting the Lower Clutha, Toko, Shag River and the Lower Taieri Flood Protection & Drainage Schemes.
"We’ve had staff out on the ground since the high winds and this week are undertaking helicopter surveys to quickly and accurately locate all trees that might require removal from rivers in more remote locations across Otago," Mr Whitton said.
"This survey work will help us to identify fallen trees, assess the risk, if removal is required and plan the work required in each catchment.
"We will act where they present a flood risk and or could be swept downstream and damage bridges or culverts, create a dam or exacerbate erosion.
"So far, no significant damage has been identified to bridges or flood infrastructure, but numerous privately owned fences, including riparian fences, have been damaged or destroyed due to fallen trees and debris."
The extent of the work programme required to clear trees and debris, as well as the timeframes was still being determined but the work programme could yet expand from weeks to potentially months.
While in many locations stands of willows were downed, Mr Whitton said overall there was a mix of trees damaged, including gum, poplar and macrocarpa.
So far staff from council’s river management team have completed multiple walkovers and helicopter flyovers in both North and Central Otago.
Council science manager Tom Dyer said work to date was being funded out of existing budgets for river management.
"Weather events often require us to respond by reprioritising planned work programmes," Mr Dyer said.
"Inspections and customer inquiries are expected to continue over the coming weeks and will help build a comprehensive understanding of the storm’s impact on local infrastructure.
"But if you have tree damage on your property that you think we should know about, please get in touch," Mr Dyer said. — Allied Media
