Precious Drops

Rainfall, particularly that which falls on Canterbury’s foothills has a direct impact, not only on river and stream flows, but on the amount of water or recharge reaching the region’s aquifers. The Canterbury Plains themselves have relatively low rainfall and the normally fast-draining characteristics of the soils and rock mean large seasonal fluctuations in the soil moisture content. Rainfall recharge is therefore critical to maintain groundwater levels and thus the supply of water in these drier areas during spring and summer.

Environment Canterbury records rainfall at 62 sites throughout Canterbury. River reports and flood warning information is also available. See links below for more information.