Little River's repeated flooding sparks outrage over delayed lake release

Little River, a small town of 300 people, has been flooded for the second time in a year. Residents are now questioning why the Christchurch City Council waited until after the worst of the flooding to open Lake Forsyth to the ocean. The lake, located about a kilometre south of the town, connects to the sea via a canal and could have helped reduce water levels earlier.

The council finally opened Lake Forsyth on Tuesday afternoon, long after floodwaters had peaked. Locals argue that releasing the lake sooner would have eased pressure on the already swollen Okana River, which runs through the town. Some believe the lake's delayed opening worsened the flooding and slowed the water from receding.

Mayor Phil Mauger remains unconvinced that an earlier release would have made a difference. Instead, he has proposed a new solution: a diversion along the Okana River to manage excess water during heavy rain. Meanwhile, a multimillion-dollar project to allow continuous water flow between Lake Forsyth and the sea is in its final design stage.

No updated guidelines on Lake Forsyth's management or flood risk measures for Little River have been published since 2015. Residents continue to push for clearer action to prevent future flooding in the vulnerable town.

The council's decision to open Lake Forsyth came after the flood had already caused significant damage. With no recent changes to flood management policies, residents are left wondering how future risks will be handled. The proposed river diversion and ongoing lake project may offer long-term solutions, but for now, Little River remains exposed to repeated flooding.