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Dredging work within the Whakatāne River bar, known as ‘The Narrows’, is underway, the Whakatāne District Council said.
The dredging will be ongoing until such time as the area reaches a depth which is deemed safe, said the Council.
The work is set to occur on the outgoing tide only, and between the hours of 7am-7pm weekdays, excluding public holidays.
According to the Council, the narrows is the part of the river where boats pass between Turuturu Rock (statue of Wairaka) and the eastern wall, in the Bay of Plenty.
“ Boaties exiting and entering the Whakatāne River should be aware that due to a lack of heavy rainfall in recent months there has been a natural buildup of sand on the spit. The area known as “The Narrows” is currently shallow, with stronger than normal currents creating difficult conditions, particularly on the outgoing tide ,” said the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
The Whakatāne River bar will remain open unless conditions deem otherwise, according to the officials.