Cleddau Flood Protection Project at Milford Sound

The $13 million DOC-led Cleddau Flood Protection Project will protect and support tourism at Milford Sound.

Why is the project is needed?
What's involved?
Will it affect visits to Milford Sound?
Will it afffect the environment?
Progress updates

Why is the project needed?

The lower Cleddau River at Milford Sound is a dynamic environment subject to dramatic floods that rise and fall very rapidly.

The goals of the Cleddau Flood Protection Project are to protect visitor and resident safety, road access and infrastructure (including the airport, highway, fishing port and Milford staff accommodation) from the effects of this flooding.

Cleddau River in flood

What is involved in the project?

• Constructing/upgrading flood defences along the Cleddau River.
• Establishing, operating and decommisioning a borrow site and staging area.
• River works including toe protection, stop bank construction, gravel extraction and river dredging.
• Raising ground levels, drainage and improvements to the Cleddau staff accommodation area to improve security from flooding.
• Reinstatement of working areas adjacent to the Cleddau staff accommodation/Deepwater Basin area.

Will it affect my visit to Milford Sound?

No, most of the construction work is occuring well away from tourist facilities. The project has been specifically designed and will be managed so visitors and the spectacular scenery for which the area is known remain unaffected.

Any delays on the road will be no more than a few minutes. You could expect to wait for longer the lights to change at the Homer Tunnel than you will wait for this construction work.

All work should be completed by September 2011.

How will it affect the environment?

A huge effort has been made to ensure minimal environmental impacts while achieving the overall aim of improved flood protection at Milford. DOC staff and independant consultants conducted surveys of vegetation and wildlife in the area and worked out the best ways to deal with potential impacts. Earlier in 2011 three kiwi were relocated to the Sinbad Sanctuary away from an area directly impacted by construction.

A DOC ranger will remain on-site throughout the construction actively monitoring the area and managing any problems arising from construction.

Progress reports

Find out completed and planned activities during the project:

• Progress report 1: January 2011 (PDF, 2249K) Provides a project overview
• Progress report 2: 18 January 2011 (PDF, 1066K)
• Progress report 3: 4 March 2011 (PDF, 727K)
• Progress report 4: 18 March 2011 (PDF, 815K)
• Progess report 5: 1 April 2011 (PDF, 1650K)
• Progress report 6: 16 April 2011 (PDF,891K)
• Progress report 7: 29 April 2011 (PDF, 892K)
• Progress report 8: 13 May 2011 (PDF, 1006K)
• Progress report 9: 27 May 2011 (PDF, 1000K)
• Progress report 10: 10 June 2011 (PDF,962K)
• Progress report 11: 23 June 2011 (PDF, 851K)
• Progress report 12: 8 July 2011 (PDF , 956K)
• Progress report 13: 22 July 2011 (PDF, 860K)
• Progress report 14: 5 August 2011 (PDF,1000K)
• Progress report 15:19 August 2011 (PDF, 923K)
• Progress report 16: 2 September 2011 (PDF,1000K)
• Progress report 17:16 September 2011 (PDF,908K)
• Progress report 18:30 September 2011 (PDF,802K)

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