Water levels have recovered in Southland in most areas, with consistent rainfall over the past couple of months. Environment Southland senior science co-ordinator Karen Wilson said even with the consistent rainfall, some farmers would still be dealing with the impact of low water levels at the start of the year. Most of the region's aquifers were showing an increase in water levels in response to rainfall or reduced abstraction. River levels had also largely returned to normal levels. Rainfall totals, soil moisture levels and river flows are most likely to be in the near normal range (45%).

Source: Otago Daily Times April 24, 2018 16:52 UTC