Hazards and navigation safety events
Here you'll find current information about hazards and navigation safety events in the Canterbury region.
Report an incident, accident or hazard
An 'incident' may be bad behaviour on the water, an 'accident' a boat crash, and a 'hazard' a log sticking out of the water.
To report a hazard or unsafe behaviour out on the water, please get in touch with our Harbourmaster's Office:
- Report an incident, accident or hazard
- Or if urgent, call 03 328 9168.
Navigation safety alerts
Power-driven vessels are prohibited in the reserved area of Sumner Bay. No power boating is permitted from the beach out to 400m where the reserved area ends, unless transiting directly from or to the nearest point outside the reserved area.
Notified hazards
Hazards notified to the Harbourmaster's Office are ones that are considered to be out of the ordinary for their location, rather than the kinds of things that any prudent vessel skipper or boatie would normally be looking out for. It should not be considered an exhaustive list of any and all hazards.
Potential spill of Lake Takapō/Tekapo
20 November 2025
The current level of Lake Takapō is 709.45 metres above sea level and the maximum control level (MCL) for this time of year is 709.70 metres above sea level. Based on forecasts, Lake Takapō may reach MCL in the coming days, meaning it is possible Genesis may commence spilling water from Lake Takapō into the natural bed of the Takapō River.
Prior to any spill occurring, Genesis intends to fly by helicopter the length of the Takapō River bed to warn any public in the vicinity of the river of the anticipated flow. We are currently notifying a number of parties to ensure that people are aware.
Take care accessing areas downstream of dams and hydraulic structures in case of flow changes.
We are monitoring the forecast and inflows closely and will update you further as more information becomes available.
Waimakariri River - railways iron hazard
11 November 2025
Railway irons have been found in the upper Waimakariri River between Mt White and Bealey bridges.
Please navigate with caution.
Waimakariri River channel hazard
North Amberley beach - commercial fishing dredge
28 March 2025
A large commercial fishing dredge is stuck on the seabed at North Amberley beach in 2-3m of water. This may be a hazard to vessels navigating close inshore. The owner of the vessel has marked it with an orange buoy.
Position 43 08.508’S 172 48.643E
Motunau river channel hazard
Rangitata River railway iron hazard
20 January 2025
There is an exposed railway iron in the Rangitata River, just upstream of the Arundel Bridge. Please navigate with caution.
Rangitata River - the hazard is marked in red
View the railway iron hazard in the Rangitata River
Tree hazard in Rakaia Gorge
22 July 2024
Two trees are pointing downstream in the Rakaia Gorge. They are upstream but close to the gorge bridge.
The river is very low so please navigate with extreme caution in this area.
Ashley River shipwreck hazard
27 June 2024
There is an exposed shipwreck just south of the Ashley River mouth. The wreck poses a risk to vessels navigating close inshore. It is covered at high tide. Navigate with caution.
Coordinates of Ashley River shipwreck hazard
Motunau river hazard
17 May 2024
The river channel has become very narrow and curvy due to large sea swells recently. This has caused a large buildup of sand. Please navigate with extreme caution.
Motunau river channel hazard
Lake Camp in Ashburton Lakes
8 April 2024
Lake Camp in Ashburton Lakes currently has a very low water level. There may be underwater hazards may be present. All vessels should navigate with extreme caution.
Lake Opuha, Fairlie
16 February 2024
With extremely low water levels, trees on the lake bed are becoming exposed or are sitting just below the surface. It is recommended that boaties navigate with extreme caution and slow their speed.
Railway irons below the surface of the Waimakariri River
5 February 2024
Railway irons have been reported just below the surface of the Waimakariri River upstream of Mount White by the railway bridge. Navigate with extreme caution.
Railway irons reported just below surface on Waitaki River
1 December 2023
A number of railway irons have been reported just below the surface of the Waitaki River when the river is at 500 cumecs.
The location is between the SH1 bridge and the Rail bridge, true left of the river. Please lower your speeds in the area and keep a lookout for hazards.
Submerged trees near the Waiau Uwha rail bridge
A number of trees are stacked up against the rail bridge over the Waiau Uwha River.
Some of the trees are submerged and difficult to see. Please lower your speeds in the area and keep a lookout for hazards.
Large log in Waimakariri River
There is a large log just below the surface of the Waimakariri River, just south of Burkes Point. The log has been marked with a red buoy and its approximate location is marked with a red GPS location marker on the map below. Please navigate with caution in this area.
GPS coordinates: 43 23.641S; 172 40.635E
Rockfall upstream of Rakaia Gorge Bridge
We have received a report of a potential large rockfall approximately 4.5km upstream of the Rakaia Gorge bridge. Keep aware whilst navigating this area and do not stop in the vicinity.
Rockfall upstream of Rakaia Gorge Bridge marked by yellow dot.
Railway irons in the Waiau Uwha River
We have had a report that there are exposed railway irons in the Waiau Uwha River in the region of Bruce's Groyne. There is also a 'sputnik' type of concrete/steel object in a channel a little way downstream.
Railway irons in the Rangitata River
Two railway irons have been spotted poking out of the Rangitata River. They are located in the main river flow, approximately 500m above the Rangitata River Bridge - SH1.
We will remove the railway irons as soon as possible. In the meantime, please stay alert and keep your speed low in the area.
Railway irons in the Waiau Uwha River
Two sets of railway irons have been spotted poking out of the Waiau Uwha River, west of SH1. One set is in the middle of the river channel. The other set is on the north side of the river channel.
We will remove the railway irons as soon as possible. In the meantime, please stay alert and keep your speed low in the area.
Historic fencing may pose risk in Canterbury rivers
Rivers including the Poulter, Waiau, Waipara and Okuku may be adjacent to historic fencing that could encroach on the waterways.
River users are advised to check the area they are boating in prior to using the river. Before entering the water please ensure you are aware of any hazards and take safety precautions to avoid getting entangled.
If you come across any man-made hazards on the river, please take a photograph with details of the exact location and send it to harbourmaster@ecan.govt.nz. If you are also aware of the contact details for the adjoining landowners, please also forward this information. We can then update our hazards page so the public is aware of any action being taken to remediate the issue.
Various waterways in the Canterbury Region
Fluctuating water levels on various waterways, including rivers, lakes, and lagoons in Canterbury may result in fences, waratahs, or other objects being obscured from view and sitting below the surface. All water users are strongly recommended to exercise caution and keep your speed to 5 knots or less within 200 metres of the shore, unless the area is uplifted or has any other form of speed exemption. It is the responsibility of the skipper of the vessel to ensure that the area you are using is navigable and safe to transit.
Lower Clarence River / Waiau Toa - navigation safety hazards - sputniks
Sputniks are large concrete blocks with protruding steel beams that were historically used on rivers for bank protection. Many still exist on some rivers, including several in the lower Clarence / Waiau Toa, some of which are navigation safety hazards for those boating the river. For more information see the Sputniks notice (PDF 710 kB).
Brooklands Lagoon - submerged objects
Submerged and semi-submerged objects including tree stumps have been reported in the Brooklands Lagoon water ski area. Users of this area are advised to exercise caution as these objects may be difficult to see, particularly if navigating at towing speed.