Fish and Game Otago will push for a higher minimum flow in the Lindis River to better protect its ecosystem during dry years.
A report presented to a recent Otago Fish and Game Council meeting expressed concerns over a proposed minimum flow in the river and its possible effect on fish life.
The river flows into the Clutha River above Lake Dunstan.
Fish and Game officer Morgan Trotter reported to the council on an Otago Regional Council report dealing with the flows required to maintain an acceptable habitat for fish in the Lindis.
The river was heavily over-allocated by mining right takes, which were used to irrigate farm land.
The primary allocation of 3600 litres per second and the mean annual low flow of 177 litres per second often resulted in the lower river drying up during summer, causing significant fish kills.
The regional council was working with the farming community to determine suitable minimum flow levels before mining right takes end in 2021.
While staff agreed with the proposed minimum flow levels in most circumstances, the one for a dry year would not meet the requirement of protecting the basic ecological function and life-giving qualities of the river, Mr Trotter said.
He recommended the Fish and Game Council press for a dry year minimum flow level that would maintain surface water connection with the Clutha River main-stem and protect the aquatic habitat values of the lower Lindis.
Sourcing irrigation water for the Lindis Valley from the Clutha River main-stem would reduce the reliance on the Lindis and allow for a higher minimum flow in and improve the ecology of the river, he said.
The fish and game councillors carried the recommendation to push for a higher dry year flow.
