A digger on a stopbank in Mataura, Southland. Photo: Environment Southland / supplied
Strengthening work is underway on a Mataura stopbank that could fail and cause flooding if eroded during high river flow.
Last year, river engineers raised concerns about a 600m section along the town that was at risk of erosion, despite no obvious structural damage as a result of the 2020 flood.
Environment Southland integrated catchment management general manager Paul Hulse said 27,000 tonnes of rock was being used to protect the stopbank as part of strengthening this area of riverbank.
"Our message to the Mataura community at this time remains the same as it has been since we first identified a potential issue, last year - be prepared to evacuate your homes at lower river flows than you might have in the past, and at short notice'," Hulse said.
People watch as a stopbank is strengthened in Mataura, Southland. Photo: Environment Southland / supplied
Any evacuation decision will be made by Emergency Management Southland on a case-by-case basis, and river levels are monitored 24/7.
The work is expected to be finished by April.
There will be increased truck movements in town to transport the rock between 7am and 6pm.