NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
April 1967 South Island Flooding ( 1967-04-22 )
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
Duration: 9 days - From the 22nd til the 30th of April.
West Coast
Flooding
at
Inangahua Landing
The Inangahua River at the Landing had a peak discharge of 47,600 cusecs (1348 cumecs) on the 26th, with a catchment area of 386 square miles (999.74 km^2).
The Inangahua River at the Landing recorded a gauge height of 16.98 ft (5.18 m) on the 26th.
Canterbury
Flooding
at
Otematata
The Otematata River at the pumphouse had a peak discharge of 6380 cusecs (181 cumecs) on the 26th, with a catchment area of 258 square miles (668.22 km^2).
The Otematata River at the pumphouse recorded a gauge height of 5.8 ft (1.77 m) on the 26th.
Otago
Flooding
at
Balclutha
The Clutha River at the Balclutha Cableway had a peak discharge of 71,000 cusecs (2010 cumecs) on the 28th, with a catchment area of 7840 square miles (20305.51 km^2).
The Clutha River at the Balclutha Cableway recorded a gauge height of 68.6 ft (20.91 m) on the 28th.
Flooding
at
Clyde
The Clutha River at the Clyde Recorder had a peak discharge of 65,800 cusecs (1863 cumecs) on the 27th, with a catchment area of 4640 square miles (12017.54 km^2).
The Clutha River at the Clyde Recorder recorded a gauge height of 15.3 ft (4.66 m) on the 27th.
Southland
Multi Hazard
at
Southland
Weather on the 22nd: "An anticyclone persists to the north-east of N.Z., but a deep depression is passing to the southeast of the South Island. An associated cold front is moving on to the South Island. Forecast (to mid-tomorrow): Winds tending south-westerley, strong and squally at times. Unsettled with showers becoming more frequent and temperatures colder. Outlook (Monday): Cold.
Weather on the 29th: "Situation: An anti-cyclone is centered over the north tasman Sea, with a ridge of high pressure extending onto New Zealand. A cold front is moving eastwards over the south Tasman. Forecast (to midnight tomorrow): Moderate south-west winds turning north-west in the morning, and increasing to strong in exposed places. Scattered showers about the coast, clearing tonight. Becoming cloudy tomorrow with areas of rain developing from the west followed late in the day by a south-west change. Slight frosts tonight. Day temperatures milder for a time tomorrow. Outlook (for Monday): Scattered showers, chiefly about the coast.
The Milford road was severely damaged by scouring and slips, and was closed to traffic.
Heavy Rain
A series of cold fronts over the whole province brought heavy falls on the 25th.
Flooding
There was overtopping of the banks on many reaches, resulting in extensive damage.
Further rain caused a severe flood on the 30th.
Flooding
at
Aparima River
After heavy rain on the 22nd the Aparima River rose 3 ft 5 in (1.0 m).
Flooding
at
Cattle Flat
On the 23rd, there was some flooding from the Mataura River in Cattle Flat.
Heavy Rain
at
Deep Cove
Deep Cove received 802.6 mm (80.3 cm) of rain in 72 hours from the 22nd to the 25th.
Flooding
at
Gore
The Mataura River at Gore Highway Bridge had a peak discharge of 25,000 cusecs (708 cumecs) on the 27th, with a catchment area of 1338 square miles (3465.40 km^2).
The Mataura River at Gore Highway Bridge recorded a gauge height of 9.9 ft (3.02 m) on the 27th.
Extensive damage was done to river works.
Heavy Rain
at
Invercargill
Invercargill received 1.22 in (3.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 28th
Flooding
at
Lake Manapouri
Floods pushed Lake Manapouri to its highest level in a decade. The lake dropped several inches overnight on the 28th.
Flooding
at
Lake Te Anau
The Waiau River at the Lake Te Anau Outlet had a peak discharge of 28,000 cusecs (793 cumecs) on the 27th, with a catchment area of 1295 square miles (3354.04 km^2).
The Waiau River at the Lake Te Anau Outlet recorded a gauge height of 13.91 ft (4.24 m) on the 27th.
Floods pushed Lake Te Anau to its highest level in a decade. The lake dropped several inches overnight on the 28th.
Wharves at Te Anau were still under water on the 29th.
Flooding
at
Lochiel
A large area of land near Lochiel was flooded.
Flooding
at
Lumsden
The Oreti River at the Lumsden recorder had a peak flow of 14,000 cusecs (396 cumecs) on the 26th.
Flooding
at
Manapouri
The lower storey of the Manapouri-Doubtful Sound Tourist Company's headquarters building was threatened with floodwaters. Wharves at Manapouri were still under water on the 29th.
Flooding
at
Mataura
The Mataura River at Mataura Town Bridge had a peak discharge of 30,500 cusecs (864 cumecs) on the 28th, with a catchment area of 1578 square miles (4087.00 km^2).
The Mataura River at Mataura Town Bridge recorded a gauge height of 19 ft (5.79 m) on the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Mataura River
Rainfall in the Upper Mataura from the 24th to the 26th was of the order of a 2-3 year frequency.
Flooding
at
Oreti River
The Oreti River reached its highest level since November 1957.
Considerable damage was done to stopbanking and bank protection in all parts of the river.
Flooding
at
Parawa
The Mataura River at Job's Ford (Parawa) had a peak discharge of 17,000 cusecs (481 cumecs) on the 25th, with a catchment area of 281 square miles (727.79 km^2). (1967)
The Mataura River at Job's Ford (Parawa) recored a gauge height of 16.1 ft (4.91 m) on the 25th. (1967)
The Mataura River at Jobs Ford (Parawa) recorded a gauge height of 4.097 m on the 25th. (1968)
Flooding
at
Riversdale
On the 23rd, there was some flooding from the Mataura River in Riversdale.
Flooding
at
Waimumu Stream
The flood in the Waimumu Stream had a return period of 12 years.
Extensive damage was caused to the newly constructed works.
Heavy Rain
at
West Arm
There was further rain at the West Arm on the night of the 28th.
References
- Esler, L. (2002). The Southland book of records. Invercargill, NZ: Craig Printing Company Ltd.
- Owen, R.E. (1969). Hydrology Annual No.16, 1968. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Wellington, NZ: The Ministry of Works.
- Shearer, A.R. (1970). Hydrology Annual, No. 15, 1967, Part 1. Government Printer, Wellington, Water and Soil Division, New Zealand.
- Headline: Forecast.
- The Southland Daily News, 22 April 1967.
- Headline: Forecast.
- The Southland Daily News, 29 April 1967.
- Headline: Lake levels drop.
- The Southland Daily News, 29 April 1967.
- Headline: Recordings.
- The Southland Daily News, 29 April 1967.
- Surface Water Hydrology of the Mataura River Catchment.
April 1967 South Island Flooding ( 1967-04-22 )
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
Duration: 9 days - From the 22nd til the 30th of April.
West Coast
Flooding
at
Inangahua Landing
The Inangahua River at the Landing had a peak discharge of 47,600 cusecs (1348 cumecs) on the 26th, with a catchment area of 386 square miles (999.74 km^2).
The Inangahua River at the Landing recorded a gauge height of 16.98 ft (5.18 m) on the 26th.
Canterbury
Flooding
at
Otematata
The Otematata River at the pumphouse had a peak discharge of 6380 cusecs (181 cumecs) on the 26th, with a catchment area of 258 square miles (668.22 km^2).
The Otematata River at the pumphouse recorded a gauge height of 5.8 ft (1.77 m) on the 26th.
Otago
Flooding
at
Balclutha
The Clutha River at the Balclutha Cableway had a peak discharge of 71,000 cusecs (2010 cumecs) on the 28th, with a catchment area of 7840 square miles (20305.51 km^2).
The Clutha River at the Balclutha Cableway recorded a gauge height of 68.6 ft (20.91 m) on the 28th.
Flooding
at
Clyde
The Clutha River at the Clyde Recorder had a peak discharge of 65,800 cusecs (1863 cumecs) on the 27th, with a catchment area of 4640 square miles (12017.54 km^2).
The Clutha River at the Clyde Recorder recorded a gauge height of 15.3 ft (4.66 m) on the 27th.
Southland
Multi Hazard
at
Southland
Weather on the 22nd: "An anticyclone persists to the north-east of N.Z., but a deep depression is passing to the southeast of the South Island. An associated cold front is moving on to the South Island. Forecast (to mid-tomorrow): Winds tending south-westerley, strong and squally at times. Unsettled with showers becoming more frequent and temperatures colder. Outlook (Monday): Cold.
Weather on the 29th: "Situation: An anti-cyclone is centered over the north tasman Sea, with a ridge of high pressure extending onto New Zealand. A cold front is moving eastwards over the south Tasman. Forecast (to midnight tomorrow): Moderate south-west winds turning north-west in the morning, and increasing to strong in exposed places. Scattered showers about the coast, clearing tonight. Becoming cloudy tomorrow with areas of rain developing from the west followed late in the day by a south-west change. Slight frosts tonight. Day temperatures milder for a time tomorrow. Outlook (for Monday): Scattered showers, chiefly about the coast.
The Milford road was severely damaged by scouring and slips, and was closed to traffic.
Heavy Rain
A series of cold fronts over the whole province brought heavy falls on the 25th.
Flooding
There was overtopping of the banks on many reaches, resulting in extensive damage.
Further rain caused a severe flood on the 30th.
Flooding
at
Aparima River
After heavy rain on the 22nd the Aparima River rose 3 ft 5 in (1.0 m).
Flooding
at
Cattle Flat
On the 23rd, there was some flooding from the Mataura River in Cattle Flat.
Heavy Rain
at
Deep Cove
Deep Cove received 802.6 mm (80.3 cm) of rain in 72 hours from the 22nd to the 25th.
Flooding
at
Gore
The Mataura River at Gore Highway Bridge had a peak discharge of 25,000 cusecs (708 cumecs) on the 27th, with a catchment area of 1338 square miles (3465.40 km^2).
The Mataura River at Gore Highway Bridge recorded a gauge height of 9.9 ft (3.02 m) on the 27th.
Extensive damage was done to river works.
Heavy Rain
at
Invercargill
Invercargill received 1.22 in (3.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 28th
Flooding
at
Lake Manapouri
Floods pushed Lake Manapouri to its highest level in a decade. The lake dropped several inches overnight on the 28th.
Flooding
at
Lake Te Anau
The Waiau River at the Lake Te Anau Outlet had a peak discharge of 28,000 cusecs (793 cumecs) on the 27th, with a catchment area of 1295 square miles (3354.04 km^2).
The Waiau River at the Lake Te Anau Outlet recorded a gauge height of 13.91 ft (4.24 m) on the 27th.
Floods pushed Lake Te Anau to its highest level in a decade. The lake dropped several inches overnight on the 28th.
Wharves at Te Anau were still under water on the 29th.
Flooding
at
Lochiel
A large area of land near Lochiel was flooded.
Flooding
at
Lumsden
The Oreti River at the Lumsden recorder had a peak flow of 14,000 cusecs (396 cumecs) on the 26th.
Flooding
at
Manapouri
The lower storey of the Manapouri-Doubtful Sound Tourist Company's headquarters building was threatened with floodwaters. Wharves at Manapouri were still under water on the 29th.
Flooding
at
Mataura
The Mataura River at Mataura Town Bridge had a peak discharge of 30,500 cusecs (864 cumecs) on the 28th, with a catchment area of 1578 square miles (4087.00 km^2).
The Mataura River at Mataura Town Bridge recorded a gauge height of 19 ft (5.79 m) on the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Mataura River
Rainfall in the Upper Mataura from the 24th to the 26th was of the order of a 2-3 year frequency.
Flooding
at
Oreti River
The Oreti River reached its highest level since November 1957.
Considerable damage was done to stopbanking and bank protection in all parts of the river.
Flooding
at
Parawa
The Mataura River at Job's Ford (Parawa) had a peak discharge of 17,000 cusecs (481 cumecs) on the 25th, with a catchment area of 281 square miles (727.79 km^2). (1967)
The Mataura River at Job's Ford (Parawa) recored a gauge height of 16.1 ft (4.91 m) on the 25th. (1967)
The Mataura River at Jobs Ford (Parawa) recorded a gauge height of 4.097 m on the 25th. (1968)
Flooding
at
Riversdale
On the 23rd, there was some flooding from the Mataura River in Riversdale.
Flooding
at
Waimumu Stream
The flood in the Waimumu Stream had a return period of 12 years.
Extensive damage was caused to the newly constructed works.
Heavy Rain
at
West Arm
There was further rain at the West Arm on the night of the 28th.
References
- Esler, L. (2002). The Southland book of records. Invercargill, NZ: Craig Printing Company Ltd.
- Owen, R.E. (1969). Hydrology Annual No.16, 1968. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Wellington, NZ: The Ministry of Works.
- Shearer, A.R. (1970). Hydrology Annual, No. 15, 1967, Part 1. Government Printer, Wellington, Water and Soil Division, New Zealand.
- Headline: Forecast.
- The Southland Daily News, 22 April 1967.
- Headline: Forecast.
- The Southland Daily News, 29 April 1967.
- Headline: Lake levels drop.
- The Southland Daily News, 29 April 1967.
- Headline: Recordings.
- The Southland Daily News, 29 April 1967.
- Surface Water Hydrology of the Mataura River Catchment.