The boat ramp on the south side of the Waitaki River, next to the State Highway 1 bridge, is to be reopened for safety reasons and recreational use.
The Lower Waitaki River Management Society is planning to remove shingle build-up at the outlet from the ramp into the river, a project costing about $1000, which will need funding.
Society chairman Bill Penno said the ramp was vital to provide access to the river, not just for recreational use but also for safety reasons such as search and rescue craft.
The society spent about $5000 in October 2008 to stop flooding of the car park, remove trees that had overgrown the channel to the river and to improve the ramp.
However, flood flows in January and February changed channels leading to the ramp outlet and piled up shingle.
Mr Penno said one option that was investigated, but rejected because of cost, was to divert a channel back towards the ramp.
The other option was to remove the shingle bar that had built up.
The society did not have the funds to meet the cost of the work and was approaching groups and users for assistance.
Mr Penno said the society's access map to the river, which had proved popular, was being reprinted. It showed not only boat ramps, but also vehicle access.
It was hoped to have the ramp reopened in about four to six weeks, when the new access map would be available.
The society is also holding a public meeting on September 7 in the Waitaki Bridge Hall at 7pm, with guest speakers Environment Canterbury commissioner Peter Skelton and Synlait chief executive officer Dr John Penno. It will be followed by the society's annual meeting.
