04/06/2026
MARINA REPORT For Weekend Friday 5th 0f JUNE. After the wet start to the week the. Cold nights became a little warmer. The lows were 5-7 degrees, including one good frost followed by reasonable days. This weekend weather is not looking great with rain Friday and Saturday with a heavy rain watch and strong Northerlies.
Picture 1 La Nina. which is finishing its latest cycle, usually features strong easterly trade winds. The replacement,” Le Nino” patterns are expected to grow stronger, with June seen as the transitional month- the wet weather this past weekend won’t ,be characteristic of the upcoming season .There will probably be less rain and flooding events but it could also create droughts and heat waves as a result.
Picture 2. El Nino There could be stronger or more frequent winds from the west in summer and more southerly winds in winter. The prospect of a dry spring or dry summer is possible.
Picture 3.With the Sun disappearing around 4.30pm it doesn’t take much for a ‘ black out’ on the Lake. Land mass, Sky and water tend to blend and land marks disappear. Motuoapa Marina is at water level and has a background of steep bush cover hills. From as little as 2 kilometres out in the Lake there is little definition. Fortunately at the end of the Fairway there are two bright blue guidance Navigation lights” set one above the other’ facing down the entrance fairway to the Marina. When Both lights are in a vertical line you are in line with the centre of the Fairway. If you zig-zag your vessel you will note you can place the lights line on the vertical. Hold this course and you are home. Picture 3 left side. 5 km from the Light. Right side of picture 3 3.5km out from light.
Picture 4.left side 1.5 km from light – right side picture 4 out from the fairway entrance.
Picture 5.Since the Harbourmasters email was sent out regarding the reasons maintenance and Marina security has been dragging the chain we have had several enquires on what progress has been made. Picture 5 was one of the conceptual drawings for review. Here is the information relayed from the Harbourmaster. “” The installation of a Security gate at Motuoapa Marina remains an active business case. How ever this work has been impacted by competing priorities, particularly the Taupo Marina quay wall failure, which required capital funding. ( Gee I must remember this story next time the wife wants the Deck repaired. )
Picture 6.. The Beer O metre shows, the Lake Level is presently 356.85 metres above chart Datum. The level will rise through the weekend. The outflow at present is 100 cubic metres per sec and will continue to rise through the weekend .
The picture above the Beer O Meter is . WOW,, I have hit a jetty the odd time perhaps “ a little hard “ but NEVER nearly slicing it two. Nahh.
‘Weather for. ..Friday Northerly 20 knts rising to 35 heavy rain watch… Saturday heavy rain watch ..northerly 20 knts.. Sunday cloudy.. southwest 10 knts Fine…. Monday westerly..15 knts cloudy
Good Luck , for the weekend – bring a rain coat and keep warm …. CHEERS
