IRRIGATION FOR CROMWELL

Lake County Mail, Issue 29, 10 December 1947, Page 1

IRRIGATION FOR CROMWELL

Scheme Dependent on Completion of Coal Creek

An irrigation scheme in the Cromwell, Tarras and Hawea districts is dependant on the completion of the Coal Creek hydro-electric scheme from which the necessary power would have to be drawn, according to Government officials, directly concerned with irrigation in the Cromwell district, who were interviewed recently by a “ Mail ” representative. The fact that the Government is carrying out large irrigation schemes in other areas is, however, causing some unrest in the district.

Recently irrigation was begun under the Winehrnore scheme, near Ashburton. Considerable further development has been planned and when this is completed irrigation will be possible on 357,000 acres in that area. Levels Being Taken it is not expected that tin- Coal Creek scheme will he completed for at least seven years, ft was stated, however, that surveyors arc taking levels so that an irrigation scheme can start as soon as Coal Creek is able to supply the necessary power. Irrigation is an important factor in increasing production. This has been demonstrated already where water has been available for a number of years. In an interview with the “ Mail,” a high country sheep farmer explained that the carrying capacity of any high country run was governed by the number of sheep that could be wintered on it. It is advisable to winter only as many sheep us there is adequate feed for. Turning stock out before spring growth begins reduces any benefit wintering may provide.

Limited Private Irrigation “ Because of limited private irrigation on low lands, winter feed, which may be hay or chaff with turnips and greenfeed, is not produced in sufficient quantities to carry flocks which the high country warrants ” ho explained. His property ran alongside the Clutha River he said. A prominent liorticulturalist considered that with such an ideal climate, Cromwell could grow fruit on a large scale with the help of irrigation. He had seen fruit grown under private irrigation he said that could be classed second to none in the country.