At a district council meeting in Alexandra last week councillors decided to commission an economic impact report on the effects minimum flows would have on the river.
The regional council is in the process of setting those limits and at workshops in April offered options, the lowest of which was 1250 litres per second in summer and 4000 litres per second in winter, although it has said these are not the only choices.
District council economic development manager Warwick Hawker said there was ``considerable disquiet'' in the community regarding these levels, which were generally thought to be too high.
The report will determine the effect of three different minimum flows on the amount of water that would be made available for irrigation; estimate how much production would be lost through restricted water use; and assess what the economic impact would be to the region.
Councillor Martin McPherson asked why it was the district council's responsibility, and not that of the regional council, to commission such a study.
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said the regional council would do a similar study, but not until it had a preferred minimum-flow option.
``I also think we're going to have more comfort in our own report. When I saw the Lindis report I didn't feel comfortable with the level of rigour.''
Councillor Stu Duncan said the study should also test lower flows.
CODC executive manager infrastructure services Julie Muir said the flow levels in the study would be tested against current levels.
The completion of models and an assessment report would cost $19,000 to $21,000 and the regional economic assessment and report, $5400 to $7000.
It is expected to take four to six weeks.
