FLOOD IN THE MANAWATU.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2579, 12 May 1923, Page 3

FLOOD IN THE MANAWATU.

The repent flood in the Manavatu caused a great deal of anxiety to settlers in the Moutoa district. Fortunately the .flood waters did not reach the magnitude of an “old man flood,” but it gave some indication of the effect of the banking on the opposite side of the river. Stock was removed to higher ground from threatened low-lying areas. One settler, whose house is near the hank at Moutoa, kept an all night vigil for fear the water rose above the bank, in which case it would rush into a basin which would flood a large area to a depth of several feet in the vicinity of the school and endanger several residences. A large volume of water has found its way into the Moutoa basin extending towards the Whirokino bridge. Mr W. Foss’ farm at the Poplar Mill suffered most. Fortunately the stock, a valuable Jersey herd, were removed to a place of safety. The water broke through the new stop bank and flooded the farm to a depth of from 4ft. to sft. The breach in the hank was about two chains. This piece of land has not previously been affected by flood waters. The occupants of the farm house had a trying time and left the dwelling for a shed on higher ground as the flood waters invaded the house.

On the opposite side of the river at the mill, the water spilled over the bank and invaded the mill office to a depth of several inches. The banking scheme now being carried out on the eastern or Makerua side of the river is causing a good deal of anxiety to settlers on the opposite side and the present flood has given some indication of what will happen when the scheme is completed. Tt simply means that the flood waters will be diverted from the land protected by the banks, to the whole of Moutoa, Fangio!u and Fangitane, and will possibly find its way into the main street of Foxton.

The big banking scheme will extend for a distance of 24 miles along the course of the river on the eastern side from Linton to Shannon. The banking has already been completed to a distance of 21 miles. The average height of the bank is 9ff. with a base of some 40ft. and is constructed about 2 chains from the river edge. This distance provides a safeguard from erosion. At Mr Ttoss’ farm at the Poplar the banking was done at the water’s edge and it was here that the erosion took place. Tt is proposed to erect a new bank at this spot about 27 chains across a peninsular-shaped area. It will take about eighteen months lo complete the present scheme. The object of the formation of the Manawatu-Oroua Drainage Board is to deal in a comprehensive way with the whole problem of river protection and the scheme, now being prepared by Mr Hay, tbe engineer, is awaited with interest by settlers and local bodies concerned. To-day the flood waters are rapidly receding.