Auckland mayor Phil Goff said that the council is implementing the first stage of restrictions on water use to save the city's drought-stricken reserves.
Video / Michael Craig
An Auckland family out for a walk in the Waitākere Ranges on Saturday stumbled right into Auckland's worst water crisis in over 25 years.
Kristy Lorson, husband Davian and daughter Savana decided to go for a walk along the Upper Nihotupu Track, which follows the Upper Nihotupu Dam, after a long time out of the bush thanks to lockdown.
The track was also closed for a long period to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback, but has recently reopened.
Lorson said the family was "pretty shocked" by the water level.
Davian and Savana walk in the dam. Photo / Kristy Lorson
She said the family had experienced some pushback after the post was shared, with some commenting that the family shouldn't be in the dam but Lorson said there was no signage telling people not to walk in the dam and the family didn't climb over any fences.
She said they followed a marked track down the waterfall and continued into the riverbed from there, adding there was "no delineation between the waterfall track and the riverbed and no signage to indicate that walking there wasn't permitted".
She said the family decided "let's go for an adventure and see what we find" but decided she needed to document the level when they stumbled upon it.
Lorson admitted there was a sign at the top of the track telling people not to swim or fish in the dam but, as the photos show, swimming in the trickle of water that travelled along the riverbed would be tricky.
She also joked the family "didn't bring our togs".
Kristy Lorson said the water levels were "shocking". Photo / Kristy Lorson
Auckland is under tough water restrictions as it fights the drought. Photo / Kristy Lorson
Lorson, who runs a website which promotes 'zero waste' living, said that the family had been following recommendations to cut their water use at home and hoped that her photos would prompt others to do the same, saying we need to treat our water as a "precious resource" and we had been taking it for granted.
Lorson said her daughter Savana "loved a good adventure" and they had used the walk as a learning experience for her.
A Watercare spokesperson told the Herald that they were disappointed by the family's actions and would be contacting them.
"We are disappointed to see that members of the public have not used common sense and have chosen to explore the Upper Nihotupu Dam tributary," they said.
"There are warning signs at all of our dams but we will now look at putting up additional signage near the Upper Nihotupu Stream as well.
"We will be contacting the family to have a chat about our concerns."
So amazing to get out walking in the beautiful Waitākere Ranges yesterday, but, man, Auckland - we need to shorten those...
Lorson's photos aren't the first to reveal the true extent of Auckland's water crisis, after Titirangi resident Scott Downie shared photos earlier this month that highlighted the problem.
Downie, who took both photos, has lived and walked in the area all his life and has never seen the water level so low. He is 33.
"In my living memory, I have never seen such a difference," he said.
Dael Armstrong-West, who was with Downie when he took the latest photo on Friday, said she was "gobsmacked".
"We couldn't believe it. We almost cried," she said.
The forecast
Auckland is due to see some rain this week - but not enough to help with the drought situation.
In fact, yesterday's rain in the city is just "soaking into the ground" this morning.
A weather station in West Auckland reported just after 7am: "Through yesterday and overnight, we've had just under 20mm of soft rain here...all just soaking into the ground.
"Not even a trickle in any drains or ditches. So sorry, Auckland, won't have helped the reservoir levels."
Through yesterday & overnight, we've had just under 20 mm of soft rain here. Possibly a bit more to come today. All just soaking in to the ground - not even a trickle in any drains or ditches. So, sorry Auckland, won't have helped the reservoir levels.@WeatherWatchNZ
