South Island lakes need rain

This morning, New Zealanders had an extra hour in bed because we turned our clocks back. Summer time is finished. Already, we can feel the mornings and evenings are colder. In most of the South Island, the day time temperatures are cold too. However, we are still waiting for rain.

The water level is low in South Island lakes. This water is needed for hydro electricity. Water from Lakes Tekapo, Pukaki and Ohau and the lakes on the Clutha River turn the turbines in the power stations to generate electricity. 60% to 70% of New Zealand’s power comes from hydro-electricity and most of that hydro-electricity comes from these South Island lakes. Usually by the beginning of April, the lakes are nearly full but not this year.

We need rain in the lakes and in the mountains. Rain in the mountains flows into rivers which flow into lakes. By June, it will be snow not rain falling on the mountains. This snow will not melt until spring. We need rain in the next 2 months to fill the lakes if we want to keep warm in the winter.

Vocabulary

• water level – height of the water
• hydro – water
• flows – falls, moves