Studholme Rd North in Wanaka is likely to get a "swale" later this year to help reduce the flood risk from Stoney Creek.
A swale is a wide, shallow ditch and Queenstown Lakes District Council capital works project manager Rob Darby told the Otago Daily Times this week the idea of a swale was being discussed by the council and the Otago Regional Council.
Mr Darby said the swale would run along the road reserve for about 400m.
It would be about half a metre deep and designed not to be hazardous to cyclists or pedestrians. It would be grassed and kept mown.
"We don't want to create something that is expensive or unsightly or a hazard.
"You don't want to be able to fall into it and it's just a case of keeping it looking natural."
Mr Darby said the swale would add to work already done to avoid a repeat of flooding problems that occurred on some properties along Mt Aspiring Rd in 1999 and 2006.
Stormwater systems had been improved, although some work had yet to be completed because of "issues" with some landowners.
Extensive work had been done on Stoney Creek itself and rehabilitation work to be done on Mt Aspiring Rd would also help with the flooding protection issue.
Mr Darby said the swale was planned for Studholme Rd North, rather than Mt Aspiring Rd, because that was where the flooding problem arose.
"Stoney Creek broke its bank at the top end of Studholme Rd North.
"Of course once it's running on the asphalt it's pretty fast and as it got down to the Mt Aspiring Rd corner it just crossed Mt Aspiring Rd and went into the properties."
Asked if construction of the swale would bring to an end flooding problems in the area, Mr Darby said there were still quite a few stormwater issues but the swale would "go a long way to mitigate the risk of flooding to the properties that have previously been flooded.
"That's what people want to hear and that's what we want to do.
"It's all about working towards a design that's agreeable to both the QLDC and ORC.''
