A new online dashboard giving residents real-time water level information for Karanema Havelock North’s dams and streams has been launched by Hastings District Council.
The dashboard brings together live data from sensors across the five dams and the streams into which they feed (Herehere, Mangarau, Te Kahika, School and Karituwhenua), showing how water levels are changing during rainfall.
Mayor, Wendy Schollum said the tool reflected the Council’s ongoing commitment to transparency and community resilience.
“By showing how water levels change across our local streams and dams, this dashboard helps residents understand what’s happening around them,” she said.
“It’s a practical tool for staying aware and making informed decisions during rainfall events. It will also provide comfort when we are experiencing heavy rain that is not a risk.”
The dashboard is one part of a wider programme of work Council is carrying out to help the community and environment prepare for future weather events. This includes improving flood planning, supporting community readiness initiatives, and making information easier to access.
Community feedback has informed the development of the dashboard, with residents sharing what they find useful, what needs to be clearer, and how they want to access the information. Council says the feedback will continue to guide future refinements.
While the dashboard provides valuable information, it is not an emergency warning system. In a flood or storm event, residents should continue to follow the official alert channels: Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management and Hastings District Council.
Dam and stream data is one element considered when making decisions during a weather event, supplemented by other information such as forecast rainfall.
QR codes have been installed beside monitors at each stream so residents can easily access the dashboard while on location.
View the dashboard online here.
