Hurunui Power Scheme?

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 18

Hurunui Power Scheme?

The possibility of using the Hurunui and Waiau rivers to generate hydro-electric power is being studied by the New Zealand Electrical Department.

Because of investigations in the upper watersheds of other' South Island rivers, however, the department is unwilling to commit itself at this stage. This was said in the annual report of the engineer-secre-tary to the North Canterbury Electric Power Board (Mr A. Buckingham) at a meeting of the board in Rangiora. ] Mr Buckingham said that ; during the year two possible sites for hydro development in the lower Hurunui river had been investigated. Both

were between the Hurunui’s confluence with the Pahau and Ethelton rivers. In this section there was a fall of about 170 ft. Nearly all of this apparently could be developed at the two dam sites, fairly conveniently situated about four miles apart. Both had good access. A preliminary inspection of both dam sites has been made by members of the board and also by the investigating engineer of the Ministry of Works. River-discharge records had been made available to the board. However, because of fairly involved investigations now being carried out in the upper watersheds of the Buller. Clarence, Wairau, and Waiau rivers by the Ministry of Works, the New Zealand Electricity Department was unwilling to make any commitment about the waters of the Hurunui, said Mr Buckingham. Further surveys would be made in the meantime to as-1 sist in evaluating the power] potential at the two suggested I

i dam sites, he said. Surveys would also be made into the extent of adjacent country likely to be affected. The board’s chairman (Mr] W. R. Bainbridge) said that if the Waiau could be diverted into the Hurunui the board would have a very good case for a hydro-electricity project. The Waiau had a greater'

flow in summer and the Hurunui in winter, and they would be complementary in this respect. One of the two sites suggested for the dams was at a point where the Hurunui river was only 250 ft to 300 ft wide. ] said Mr Buckingham. A dam 80ft high would not be very Mostly at this site.