The flash flood risk on the Waimakariri River has been downgraded.
Police received a report at 6pm tonight of a large surge of water visible from the air moving down the river.
It was sighted in the Christchurch McLeans Island area, and although river levels are high, the initial reported risk appears to have passed.
Police report that river levels remain high and may increase. "We request the public and recreational river users avoid the low-lying riverbank areas of all Canterbury rivers."
"At this time there appears no risk to properties."
