During the winter months, stopbanks are vulnerable to damage from grazing stock.
As the wetter months set in, Horizons Regional Council is again reminding rural communities to keep grazing stock off stopbanks to ensure they are best able to perform their function as an essential flood-protection asset.
The reminder applies to farmers and owners of lifestyle blocks as wetter soil conditions, combined
with heavy animals or smaller animals that dig, can weaken the region's stopbanks.
Horizons area engineer Paul Joseph says the main purpose of stopbanks is to provide essential flood protection for thousands throughout the region and while they can be grazed by cattle less than 18 months in age when the ground is firm in summer, grazing with cattle is not permitted under any circumstances between June 15 and September 15.
"As wet weather sets in, it's really important stopbanks maintain enough grass to prevent scouring in a flood event. Farmers and landowners know this and in most cases are very co-operative," Mr Joseph says.
"We really appreciate the effort many farmers put in to control stock damage by grazing during the year. We just want to remind people that it is that time of year again and stock does need to be grazed elsewhere to avoid any damage."
