Irrigation set to be shut off

High country rain holds hope of a reprieve for irrigators on the Wairau River.

The Marlborough District Council will shut down irrigation rights on the river unless flows rise significantly over the next 24 hours.

About 50 irrigators, including farmers and grape growers, use the Class B water.

Council hydrologist Val Wadsworth says flows in the Wairau reached the cut off threshold yesterday.

He hopes the overnight front has brought enough rain to ease the situation, but any change in river flows will not be known for another 12 hours.

- NEWSTALK ZB