A groyne built on the Waitaki River has been blamed for flooding in the Waitaki Bridge Park last month.
The groyne, west of the State Highway 1 bridge and on the south bank, was extended to stop flooding of the boat ramp, but appears to have created problems for the park by blocking the outlet of a tributary to the river when it is in flood.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) was aware of the issue after a deputation from Waitaki Bridge Park went to a committee meeting of the regional council in Oamaru yesterday.
Park committee chairman Finlay McKenzie told the southern area committee the river had returned to normal levels, but when it went to 400cumecs-500cumecs while Meridian was generating electricity, water again flooded back towards the park.
"A lot of the problem has been caused by extending the groyne which is blocking water getting out from Welcome Stream," he said.
Now the river had broken out, the park was having problems during normal generation flows.
Committee chairman Mark Oldfield said ECan river engineers were preparing a report on damage and problems.
