Stormwater flood management

Photo of light flooding in the Waiarohia Stream, Cafler Park.

Managing stormwater and preventing flooding protects our water quality, harbour and agricultural areas as well as private and public property.

Stormwater management for building projects

Stormwater attenuation is the storage of excess stormwater during the peak of a storm, followed by controlled release of the stored water.

The rate of release is designed to be lower than the rate of runoff from a site prior to development, effectively mimicking the natural flows from the site.

If you are undertaking a building project, you will need to consider whether attenuation is required.

Why attenuation is necessary

The construction of hard surfaces (roofs, patios, driveways etc) on areas of land that were previously undeveloped changes the way water runs off the property.

It removes natural soakage and vegetation that would have previously slowed the run off.

This means the volume of runoff increases and the stormwater network (pipes, drains and streams) reaches capacity far more often and much more quickly.

The effects of increased runoff

This additional flow can have a number of effects on the stormwater system, including:

increased water levels causing surface flows and possible flooding
potential for some of this water to enter the wastewater system and increase the risk of sewage discharges to the environment
increased velocities in the streams causing erosion to banks and environmental damage
increased stress on the piped network leading to it failing earlier, requiring increased levels of maintenance.

Decision flowchart and attenuation sizing chart

Decision flow chart

If you are undertaking a building project, you will need to consider whether attenuation is required. The decision flow chart will help you work this out.

Attenuation Decision Flow Chart(PDF, 858KB)

Attenuation sizing chart

If attenuation is required, use the sizing chart for guidance on the level of attenuation required and the volume of storage needed.

Stormwater Attenuation Sizing Chart(PDF, 242KB)

We have developed these tools to help you to avoid the additional cost of appointing consulting engineers specifically for this purpose.

The charts are a conservative estimate and you can engage an engineer to undertake specific engineering design for your project if you wish.

There are a number of ways of attenuating flow, including storage tanks, underground storage and ponds. Depending on your site constraints one or more of these may be suitable.

Drying out of stormwater retention ponds and impact on birdlife

Stormwater retention ponds provide critical protection from flooding in wet weather, but extended dry weather can cause them to naturally dry out during the warmer months of the year.

For most of the year, the ponds provide a sanctuary for birds, such as seagulls and ducks, however low water levels can impact local birdlife.

This is a common occurrence across non-flowing water sources, but can be more noticeable in urban or highly populated areas, such as Totara Parklands in Tikpunga.

About stormwater retention ponds

The purpose of stormwater retention ponds is to capture and hold the right amount of runoff to help prevent flooding of surrounding properties.

They are carefully designed to manage expected stormwater flows – the size of the basin and the height of the spill point determine how much water the pond can hold and how it drains.

Unlike flowing water bodies, such as rivers or streams, retention ponds are designed to retain water. This means they do not regularly flush out, so natural pollutants can become more concentrated when water levels drop.

Impact on birdlife

When pollutants and organic matter concentrate in warm, stagnant water, bacteria can thrive. This can include botulism-producing bacteria, which can lead to illness or death when ingested by birds during feeding.

While it is very unfortunate to lose these birds, in many cases raising the spill point to keep more water in the pond during dry weather would compromise the effectiveness of the pond to take enough stormwater.

The system is designed to protect the community from the risk of flooding first and foremost, however we will continue to monitor conditions and work with local partners to minimise risks to wildlife.

What to do if you come across a dead bird

Members of the public are reminded to follow sensible safety precautions:

Avoid contact with the ponds during periods of low water or if dead birds are visible.
Do not attempt to handle or remove dead birds.
Keep pets away from the water’s edge.

If people see dead or dying game birds, please contact the Northland Fish and Game Council for more information. The Northland Fish and Game Council is the statutory manager of game birds (such as ducks) and their habitats.

Phone: 09 438 4135
Email: northland@fishandgame.org.nz

Hikurangi Flood Management Scheme

The Hikurangi Flood Management Scheme, north of Whangārei, is drained by the Wairua River.

The scheme provides flood protection and flood management to about 5,600 hectares of farmland.

About the scheme, plans and maps

A system of earth banks along the length of the Wairua River help to confine floodwater in the river channel and away from farmland. If the rivers continue to rise beyond a set level, the water spills over the banks through specially constructed spillways into confined areas of land known as pockets.

There are seven pockets which have been designed to accept floodwater flows. Water is held in these pockets until the river level drops sufficiently for pumping stations located within each pocket of land to then pump the water from the flooded areas back into the river.

The Hikurangi Flood Management Scheme Management Plan and the Flood Riparian and Ox-Bow / Cut-off Channel Management Plan set out the operating and management procedures for the Hikurangi Flood Management Scheme as required by the resource consents.

The Fishery Management Plan is also a condition of the consent and recognises the cultural significance of the traditional tuna fishery to Ngati Hau.

We obtained a new resource consent for the Scheme, with a 35 year term, in May 2010.

Hikurangi Flood Management Scheme Plans and Map

Check our Long Term Plan that describes how we will manage and operate the Scheme:

Long Term Plan

Hikurangi Flood Management Scheme Working Group

A Hikurangi Flood Management Scheme Liaison Committee was formed in August 2011 to provide a forum for discussion of the management scheme.

If you wish to access presentations, agendas and minutes from meetings of the Committee (prior to 2019), you can contact us for electronic records.

Report it

Use our online forms to report drains and stormwater issues.

Report an issue