March 12, 2026
The water levels in the once deemed shrinking Lake Camp/ Ōtautari in Canterbury have improved, in a 'told you so' moment for the regional council.
Locals called for intervention in 2024 as they watched the lake recede and were concerned about its health.
At the time, Environment Canterbury’s position was to do nothing as the lake is prone to natural fluctuations and there were no ecological concerns.
It was so low that the Clearwater Aquatic Club annual championships were called off for the first time.
Two years later, club president Tony Moore said the lake levels are “far, far better”, after a successful weekend holding the club championships, begrudgingly conceding ECan may have been right.
“Which is slightly annoying because certain people had stood up and said the best thing to do [for the lake], and they might have won that one.
"It's better, but there's still a long way to go."
Lake Camp’s water level was as low as 5.184m in August 2024, prompting calls for the historic diversion from Balmacaan Stream to be reinstated.
The consent for the diversion was surrendered by Fish and Game in 2020, and ECan was adamant that reestablishing a diversion required a new resource consent.
The Ashburton District Council investigated the option, but voted in September 2024 not to proceed with a consent application, which could have cost ratepayers almost $1 million and had no guarantee of success.
It meant sticking with ECan’s theory of doing nothing and naturally, the lake will fill up again.
Water and land science manager Dr Elaine Moriarty said the lake's water level has now returned to a healthy and stable state - around 7.25m.
“As we indicated at the time, the lake's hydrology is strongly influenced by natural climatic variability, and we expected levels to recover as seasonal conditions shifted,” Moriarty said.
“The significantly wetter-than-average summer has had an impact.
“Increased rainfall and sustained soil moisture have supported improved surface and groundwater contributions to the lake system, resulting in the very good conditions we are seeing now - and the lake looks great.”
Moore agreed that the lake “has held its level because of the season we have had.
“It’s been an extremely wet season - ask any cropping farmer.”
It meant going from having “just barely enough” to attempt to run the annual competition last year, which was plagued by strong winds, to having a big field of 17 slalom skiers on the water all Saturday.
“It was like the lake gods knew we were holding a competition.”
Moore said they are “happy at the moment” with the lake levels, but there are still concerns about the long-term fluctuations.
“We would like to have the control of it like we used to be able to, but that’s not going to happen.
“We are not fighting for it anymore.”
Moriarty said that the lakes across Canterbury have benefited from the wetter-than-usual summer.
"After several dry years, this season’s rainfall has replenished many systems and helped bring water levels back closer to normal.
"While natural variation will always occur, it's pleasing to see the improvement across the region.
"We will continue to monitor lake conditions as part of our regular environmental monitoring programme and will keep the community informed if any issues arise."
By Jonathan Leask
The water levels in the once deemed shrinking Lake Camp/ Ōtautari in Canterbury have improved, in a 'told you so' moment for the regional council.
Locals called for intervention in 2024 as they watched the lake recede and were concerned about its health.
At the time, Environment Canterbury’s position was to do nothing as the lake is prone to natural fluctuations and there were no ecological concerns.
It was so low that the Clearwater Aquatic Club annual championships were called off for the first time.
Two years later, club president Tony Moore said the lake levels are “far, far better”, after a successful weekend holding the club championships, begrudgingly conceding ECan may have been right.
“Which is slightly annoying because certain people had stood up and said the best thing to do [for the lake], and they might have won that one.
"It's better, but there's still a long way to go."
Lake Camp’s water level was as low as 5.184m in August 2024, prompting calls for the historic diversion from Balmacaan Stream to be reinstated.
The consent for the diversion was surrendered by Fish and Game in 2020, and ECan was adamant that reestablishing a diversion required a new resource consent.
The Ashburton District Council investigated the option, but voted in September 2024 not to proceed with a consent application, which could have cost ratepayers almost $1 million and had no guarantee of success.
It meant sticking with ECan’s theory of doing nothing and naturally, the lake will fill up again.
Water and land science manager Dr Elaine Moriarty said the lake's water level has now returned to a healthy and stable state - around 7.25m.
“As we indicated at the time, the lake's hydrology is strongly influenced by natural climatic variability, and we expected levels to recover as seasonal conditions shifted,” Moriarty said.
“The significantly wetter-than-average summer has had an impact.
“Increased rainfall and sustained soil moisture have supported improved surface and groundwater contributions to the lake system, resulting in the very good conditions we are seeing now - and the lake looks great.”
Moore agreed that the lake “has held its level because of the season we have had.
“It’s been an extremely wet season - ask any cropping farmer.”
It meant going from having “just barely enough” to attempt to run the annual competition last year, which was plagued by strong winds, to having a big field of 17 slalom skiers on the water all Saturday.
“It was like the lake gods knew we were holding a competition.”
Moore said they are “happy at the moment” with the lake levels, but there are still concerns about the long-term fluctuations.
“We would like to have the control of it like we used to be able to, but that’s not going to happen.
“We are not fighting for it anymore.”
Moriarty said that the lakes across Canterbury have benefited from the wetter-than-usual summer.
"After several dry years, this season’s rainfall has replenished many systems and helped bring water levels back closer to normal.
"While natural variation will always occur, it's pleasing to see the improvement across the region.
"We will continue to monitor lake conditions as part of our regular environmental monitoring programme and will keep the community informed if any issues arise."
By Jonathan Leask
