Stopbanks have "strangled" South Westland's Wanganui River so much over decades the riverbed is now filling with gravel at twice the natural rate, an engineer says.
$1 million-plus damage to West Coast farms after river flood stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Two farms severely flooded last week when the Wanganui River broke through a hole in the stopbank face a repair bill of at least $1 million - and with no insurance.