River Flooding

Flooding is one of the region’s best understood natural hazards. Local rivers are prone to flooding, especially when heavy rain coincides with a big tide.

Flood areas are currently identified in the Nelson Resource Management Plan (NRMP), using information that was current at the time the plan was developed in the 1990s. Council published more recent river flood mapping in 2017.

The 2017 river flood maps have now been updated in order to inform the Draft Whakamahere Whakatū Nelson Plan which outlines how Nelson will grow and develop, and how we will manage our environment in the future.

The 2017 flood maps have been replaced on this webpage with the 2021 flood maps. The associated reports for the earlier mapping are still available (see below).

You can find out more at shape.nelson.govt.nz/river-flooding.

A simple way to protect your property from flooding events is by using sandbags. Read more here.

What do the river flood maps show?

We have mapped the extent of two flood scenarios – a 1% AEP (annual exceedance probability) rainfall event for both the present day and the year 2130. A 1% AEP event is a flood that has a 1% chance of occurring or being exceeded every year,

You can also view the flood water depths for the year 2130. Click on the Legend and select this as a ‘sublayer’ under the Hazards tab. A key showing flood water depth can be viewed by selecting the smaller ‘legend’ tab. Please note that this layer is slow to draw.

Click on the magnifying glass to search for an address, e.g. "110 Trafalgar" to locate a property. If the search cannot find your property, try searching for a road name, e.g. “Todd Bush” to zoom to the general area.

Coastal Inundation

Coastal inundation (where sea water floods the land during storm tides or indirectly via the stormwater network and/or elevated groundwater levels). Please visit the Coastal Inundation Map shape.nelson.govt.nz/coastal-hazards

Previous Engagement

The updated flood modelling and Draft Nelson Plan provisions build on the previous engagement that occurred in June 2017. The feedback gathered from this community engagement was summarised into a report (423KB PDF)

Why do we need to produce flood models?

It is the Council’s role to help you understand where floods occur. The Council is responsible for controlling building and the effects of land use to reduce flood risk.

Under the Resource Management Act, the Council sets rules about where buildings can be located, where subdivision can take place, and the effects of land use. Managing flood risk and other natural hazards is one factor the Council must take into account amongst many other factors when making decisions.

The Council is committed to providing the most up to date flooding information to reduce the risk of flooding to you and your property.

What do we know so far?

In 2013, Council consulted with owners of land that may be subject to potential flood events from the Matai River. At this time interim statements were placed on property files noting the flood hazard potential.

From April to June 2017, Council consulted with landowners and the wider community on new flood models for all the major flood catchment areas. The models predicted where flooding was likely to occur under present day climate and for various scenarios out to the year 2100.

With further refinement of the models in 2021, they now incorporate increased timeframes out to 2130, improved rainfall data, improvements in infrastructure, increased accuracy of river channels, sea level rise considerations and specific technical model updates.

It is important to get an understanding of where flooding is predicted to occur in the future, as the effects of climate change mean that flooding is likely to become more frequent. As a coastal region, Nelson is also subject to the effects of sea level rise, which means that the severity of floods are likely to increase in these parts of the city that are subject to tidal inflow.

Flood Modelling Reports

The flood modelling reports which have informed previous river flood maps and the 2021 maps can be downloaded below. As the models have been refined, and in some cases models have been combined, the reports have also been combined.

2023 hydraulic model update report

Orchard/Orphanage

Orchard/Orphanage hydraulic model update Report 16 June 2023 (9MB PDF)

2021 Flood Modelling Update Reports

Nelson North

Maitai, Brook, York, Wakapuaka Flats (2021)

Maitai Brook York Wakapuaka Flats 2021 (11MB PDF)

Orchard, Orphanage, Oldham, Jenkins, Arapiki And Poormans Valley Streams

Orchard Orphanage Oldham Jenkins Arapiki and Poormans Valley Streams 2021 (2.9MB PDF)

2017 Flood Modelling Reports

Stoke Streams

Flood mapping

Consultants have used the information from each flood model to produce maps showing affected areas and these can be viewed in the flood model reports above as well as Council’s web maps.

The flood maps differ from the 2017 maps due the following reasons:

Increased timeframes

The 2017 models showed flooding predictions for the year 2100. Central Government guidance seeks to plan for at least 100 years and therefore the new models show predicted flooding in the year 2130.

Improved rainfall data

Since 2017, NIWA has updated data sets for storm rainfall depth based on additional data collected since the previous version (HIRDS v3) was released in 2010.
NIWA published updated storm rainfall profiles in August 2018, which have been adopted for the new Nelson flood assessments.
Climate change factors have been updated and included in the models.

Infrastructure improvements

The latest models take into consideration the recent flood protection upgrades that Council has made to York Stream and Oldham Creek.
It does not include infrastructure works that have not yet been completed such as Saxton Creek upgrades and only partially represents the upgrades to Orphanage stream

Improved definition of the river channels

The Council resurveyed the Maitai river channel and all bridges were physically surveyed to improve the accuracy of flood assessment.

Sea level rise component

The tidal component of the model has been adjusted to show a more probable scenario of when a flood event might coincide with a high tide. This resulted from statistical analysis undertaken by NIWA in 2020 to determine an appropriate tidal boundary condition to use for assessment of river flood levels specifically in the Nelson context.

Changes to the models

Two river catchments (Orchard and Orphanage Streams) were amalgamated to reduce the number of catchment models and allow for overflows between catchments to be represented, giving a more accurate result.
Model mesh refinements were made to several of the flood models to provide a more accurate representation of overland flow paths.
In a number of areas, models were extended where overland flowpaths had previously been truncated.
Improvements were made across most of the models to better define the capacity for the channel and piped sections of streams, as well as the runoff characteristics of the catchment.

Property search

You can search for flood hazards on a property by using our natural hazards map. You will be able to see an interactive map of the flood hazard for your property and view two flood scenarios – the “Flood Model Present Day” and “Flood Models Year 2130” on the map. We have mapped the extent of two flood scenarios – a 1% AEP (annual exceedance probability) rainfall event for both the present day and the year 2130. A 1% AEP event is a flood that has a 1% chance of occurring or being exceeded in any year.

AEP stands for Annual Exceedance Probability. It expresses the likelihood or probability of an event of a given size or larger occurring in any year; usually expressed as a percentage.

Land Information Memorandum (LIM) and Project Information Memorandum (PIM) interim notices

A Project Information Memorandum (PIM) is specific to a proposed project and tells you what Council knows about the proposed site, requirements of the Resource Management Act (RMA) and other Acts that might affect your proposal and require separate approvals. Whereas a Land Information Memorandum (LIM) report contains contemporary and historical information that is held by the Council regarding the property.

Properties mapped using the 2013 Maitai flood modelling data had interim LIM notices put on their property files stating that the property may be at risk of flooding in a flood event. These interim notices have now been updated in parallel with findings of refined flood modelling completed in 2021. In addition to other detailed information, properties will receive one of the following notifications:

LIM notice removal – your property is no longer identified within potentially affected areas as shown on the most recent river flooding hazard maps
Updated LIM notification – your property had been identified within the areas potentially affected by river flooding and a LIM statement was included on your property. Our latest information shows no change to this status. However, the wording to your LIM statement will be updated to reflect the updated mapping information.
New LIM notification – your property has been identified as being within, in part or in whole, the potentially affected areas as shown on the most recent river flooding hazard maps

Frequently Asked Questions

WHO PREPARED THE FLOOD MODELLING?

The models for the Matai/Brook/York, Hillwood Stream/Todd Valley/Wakapuaka Flats catchments were developed by Tonkin & Taylor and peer-reviewed by Stantec.

Why does the Council produce flood maps?

Councils are required to identify and manage natural hazard risks under several different pieces of legislation, including the Resource Management Act (RMA), Building Act, Local Government Act, and the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Act.

It is part of the Council’s role to help people understand the potential extent of flooding, both now and for predicted future generations. Modelling future river flood events out to the year 2130 and accounting for future sea level rise..

The Council carries out its role by monitoring flood events, mapping present day and future flood events and setting rules about where buildings can be located, where subdivision can take place, and how land use is to be managed within areas affected by natural hazards, such as river flooding. Managing flood risk and other natural hazards are aspects the Council must take into account, amongst many other factors when making decisions on resource consents.

How do we map flood hazard areas?

River flooding occurs when water spills over or breaks out from a river channel onto land that is normally dry. River flooding usually results from heavy or prolonged rainfall. In assessing flood hazard for Nelson catchments, consideration has also been given to the potential for a high tide to coincide with a stream or river flood event.

The flood maps that are being released relate to river and stream flooding only, including mapping of flow paths resulting from channel overflow. Therefore, these flood maps may not represent flooding caused by surface ponding, overflow from stormwater networks, or runoff of local stormwater prior to it reaching a stream or river.

Coastal inundation hazard has been assessed separately, and this mapping is accessible through the following Shape Nelson web page: shape.nelson.govt.nz/coastal-hazards

The flood maps are based on technical assessments, detailed topographical (LIDAR)² survey, and computer models developed by engineering consultancies Tonkin and Taylor Ltd and WSP Opus, who do this kind of assessment for councils around the country. These models and map outputs are also subject to professional peer reviews by external engineers and additional checks are made by the Council’s internal engineering officers.

What do the maps show?

The maps show the outputs of hydraulic flood models that illustrate:

The maximum predicted area and depth of flooding for specific flood events.
Flooding resulting from a 1% annual exceedance probability (AEP) rainfall event (inferred to be a flood that has a 1% chance of occurring or being exceeded every year, sometimes known as the 1 in 100-year flood).
Flooding predicted under present day climate as well as for the year 2130.
2130 is used because a 100 + year timeframe is commonly applied for decision making under the RMA.

What do the different flood overlays for 2130 show?

Flood hazard overlay for Nelson Urban catchments (depth is less than 30cm AND velocity is less than 2 metres per second)
High Flood hazard overlay for Nelson Urban catchments (depth is MORE than 30cm and/or velocity is MORE than 2 metres per second)
North Nelson Flood hazard overlay (only shows flood area extent)

Why is my property included in the flood modelling when it has never flooded at this property?

Council has mapped the extent of the following flood scenarios – a 1% AEP (annual exceedance probability), rainfall event, often referred to as a ‘1 in 100 year flood’ for both the present day and the year 2130. This is an extreme flood event and not all areas of Nelson have experienced such a flood event to date. Statistically under present climate, there is a 63% probability that such an event would occur over a period of 100 years in any given catchment. Many councils across New Zealand model and map a 1% AEP flood event to help inform decisions regarding future development and land uses.

What determines a high flood risk area?

The depth and speed of the flowing flood water determines the level of risk. Deep, fast flowing water has a higher risk.

The diagram below shows that if the depth is greater than 0.3m or if the velocity is greater than 2.0m per second, then it is considered a high flood hazard. At this depth and velocity, a person could be swept off their feet. A car will stop and/or float in relatively shallow water (as low as 0.5m of depth).

Flood hazard category	Floodwater depth (Urban catchments)	Floodwater speed (metres per second)	Effects on people and property
None	0-0.05m	≥ 0 (m/s)	Generally safe for people, vehicles and buildings.
Flood hazard overlay	0.05cm-0.3m	0-2.0 (m/s)	Generally safe for people, vehicles and buildings.
High flood hazard overlay	0.3-2m	2.0 (m/s) and above	Unsafe for vehicles and people. All buildings vulnerable to structural damage. Some less robust building types vulnerable to failure.
North Nelson flood hazard overlay	≥ 0.1m	≥ 0 (m/s)	Hazard level not shown but in practice will be consistent with the above categories.

Why do the North Nelson flood maps look different?

Due to the large-scale area that North Nelson covers, a different model was used. The rural catchments for the Whangamoa and Wakapuaka Rivers are all characteristically similar, whereas the urban stream catchments each have more unique characteristics. A significant point of difference is that the rural catchments in North Nelson generally lack reticulated stormwater networks, and runoff therefore travels overland towards the rivers and their tributaries. These flowpaths are therefore shown in the North Nelson mapping where they are over 0.1m in depth.

Hazard mapping has not been shown for the North Nelson models, as these catchments are predominantly rural with limited built development exposed to flood hazard. The flood models developed do calculate flow depth and speed for any point in the flood plain, so the hazard level can be readily established for any existing or new development that may be exposed to flood risk.

I gave feedback in 2017 about the river flood mapping, how was that taken into account with these new maps?

Council received nearly 450 responses to the community engagement held between 1 April and 16 June 2017. In response to the feedback, there were a number of site visits made to individual properties, and the model inputs and/or set-up of the flood models were amended in some localised areas.

In 2017, Council also asked the question whether we should manage development differently based on the level of flood hazard. The feedback received agreed that there should be a different approach in areas of higher flood hazard. As a result the flood maps now show two different areas of flood hazard for urban catchments.

Flood hazard areas (depth is less than 30cm AND velocity is less than 2 metres per second)
High Flood hazard (depth is MORE than 30cm and/or velocity is MORE than 2 metres per second)

What will it mean if my property is located in a flood hazard area in the Draft Nelson Plan?

Until the Nelson Plan is publicly notified, the existing rules in the operative Nelson Resource Management Plan (NRMP) still apply to any area that is identified in the current flood hazard overlays.

The Nelson Tasman Land Development Manual: Inundation Practice Note sets out the process for how to calculate the minimum ground and floor levels within identified flood hazard areas.

Will this information go onto my property file?

The existing flood extents shown in the NRMP and the flood hazard maps on the Council’s website that were publicly consulted on in 2017 are already included on your property file if the property was identified as being affected by river or stream flooding. If there are any changes to your property relating to these updated 2021 flood maps, your LIMs will be updated accordingly. If you are no longer shown to be within a flood area on the 2021 flood map, the LIM will be removed from your file. There is nothing you need to do; this will occur automatically.

The LIDAR

The flood models rely on using LIDAR (laser scanned mapping of the earth’s surface) to create the model terrain of the catchment. LIDAR maps provide elevation or height information about the surface of the land. A LIDAR survey involves aircraft flying over the land surface, digitally scanning the land elevation. Given the high cost and complexity of this exercise, new maps are only produced periodically – every 5-10 years.

Therefore, if there are any landform changes that have occurred either by natural or human engineering processes since the most recent LIDAR map, it will not generally be represented in the models.

This may mean that some areas that have had earthworks undertaken to raise the level of land to mitigate flood effects through development could be shown within the flood mapped area if the land has been raised since the most recent LIDAR survey was done in 2015.

A LIM provides all relevant information on a property. When assessing a building, resource or subdivision consent, all relevant information is taken into account.

Will this information affect my property value or insurance?

We cannot advise you about any affect this information may have on your property values or insurance. In general it is expected that insurers would assess risk and premiums based on present day flood mapping as opposed to future flood mapping that incorporates climate change projections. We recommend you seek professional advice from a property valuation or insurance expert about any concerns you may have regarding these matters.

The Insurance Council website provides information on insurance cover from natural hazards, such as flooding and storms. Please check out their website: www.icnz.org.nz

Will I be covered by the EQC if my property is affected by flooding?

The Earthquake Commission advises that the EQC covers:

Homes, contents and land for landslip damage
Land only for flood and storm damage.

Please refer to the EQC website for full details on what they cover www.eqc.govt.nz

[1] http://www.nelson.govt.nz/environment/nelson-plan/natural-hazards/mapping-our-natural-hazards/

[2] LIDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging