Updated 1.45pm

Heavy rain over the past 24 hours has pushed the level of Lake Wānaka to its highest point in five years recording 279.014 metres at 12.15pm today (Saturday November 9).

The lake level is 18.6 millimetres below the first flood level warning of 279.2 metres. Despite the rain having stopped, the lake continues to rise early this afternoon.

Close to 50mm of rain fell in the 24-hour period from 8am yesterday in Wānaka, with heavier falls in the lake’s headwaters. Lake Wānaka’s level has risen more than half a metre since 8am yesterday.

The walk bridge at the Dinosaur Park

The Harbourmaster advises that anyone with small craft, kayaks, canoes, etc, tied up under the trees near the lake foreshore, or left along the foreshore, check they are secure and remove them if needed.

Lake Wānaka last flooded the Wānaka township five years ago hitting a peak of 280.381 metres on December 8, 2019. At that time sandbags lined the streets in central Wānaka with water crossing Ardmore Street and lapping at the base of buildings.

Above 278.111 metres the lake level is regarded as ‘high’ and a first flood warning is triggered when the lake reaches 279.2 metres, a second warning at 279.4 metres and a third warning at 280.0 metres

PHOTOS: Wānaka App