KEY POINTS:
New equipment being developed to better monitor the new lake formed in Mount Aspiring National Park could be installed in a week, according to the Otago Regional Council (ORC).
The 2.5km-long, 100m deep, Young River Lake, formed by a huge landslide recently, is being watched carefully for any signs of a breach and ORC technicians are developing new equipment to monitor lake levels.
No observable changes had occurred during the past three days, ORC director environmental engineering and natural hazards Dr Gavin Palmer said today. The lake remained full and continued to flow over the dam face without incident.
Dr Palmer said new equipment developed by ORC staff would provide information about any major changes in the lake and river levels and give local residents some immediate warning.
Queenstown Lakes District Council emergency management officer Brenden Winder said the nearby township of Makarora was not under threat and roads in the area were open.
Local people were keeping watch on the Makarora River, which the Young River runs into, and Mr Winder said anyone noticing changes in the river should contact the council immediately.
He said the Department of Conservation ban on entering the Young River Valley remained in force.
- NZPA
