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About the Landslide
The landslide occurred on the North Branch of the Young River, near Lake Wanaka, New Zealand, at 4:40 am on August 29 2007.
The debris avalanche occurred in closely jointed schist, forming a dam 70 metres high across the valley. Water began impounding behind the dam and has now overtopped, scouring an outflow channel on the downstream face of the dam. The impounded lake is approximately 2 kilometres in length and 500 metres at its widest point. Water first overtopped the dam on October 5, approximately 5 weeks after its formation. Water continues to flow over the dam crest and has scoured material from along the outflow channel after periods of high rainfall and associated outflows.
Data from the equipment remotely monitoring the lake level is plotted by the Otago Regional Council.
Please read the Young River poster for further information.
