A dry spring means irrigation restrictions are already in place in some areas and irrigators need to work together to conserve water this summer, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) says.
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The province had experienced drier than usual conditions this year, which are likely to continue with the predicted El Nino event.
ORC chief executive Peter Bodeker said flows in some parts of North Otago and the upper Taieri catchment were already at or close to minimum levels for irrigation.
"It's pretty dire at the moment," he said.
"By working together to manage the available water we are more likely to sustain river flows for longer and that's a desire we all share.
"Part of the council's role when river flows are low is to provide information about what is happening, but also to ensure that the rules which apply during such events are followed.
"We're hopeful that a strong focus by irrigators over the summer on sharing water will carry us through the coming months without the need for restrictions to be placed on water use."
