Staff from Wanganui District Council and Horizons Regional Council have been monitoring river levels in the region, in response to yesterday's wet weather.

The Whanganui River level has peaked at 8.8 metres at Pipiriki at 5.30am this morning. The peak flow is expected to pass through the city in the late afternoon, well before the 9.30pm high tide.

The river has spilt over on to the riverside roadway at Kowhai Park and has come close to entering some of the rowing club boat sheds.

The automated river level warning system was activated, which contacts all those registered to receive the river level warning and boats and equipment have been moved, in case of actual flooding of the sheds. Although the river levels are high, it is not considered to be a significant flood.

The situation will be monitored throughout the day.