It is exciting to see the positive impact of the Waimea Community Dam on water availability at a crucial time in the growing season.
The reservoir, Te Kurawai o Puhanga, reached full capacity and the spillway commenced flowing on 21 January 2024. Engineering verification and the final hold point was subsequently completed on 31 January 2024.
With a supporting rain forecast (that did not materialise), WWL made the decision on 31 January 2024 to proceed with removing the temporary facilities and transition to the permanent pipe to enable final commissioning. During this transition, no water could be released from the reservoir other than for natural inflows over the spillway.
The transition to the permanent facilities was hampered by a forest fire on the publicroad (Lee Valley Road) that shut down site for almost three days.
The remaining connection between intake pipes was welded and completed on 27 February 2024. Testing confirmed the connection met specifications and water was released from a smaller valve on 2 March 2024. This release provided sufficient river flow for water restrictions in the zone of effect to be removed on 4 March 2024.
It is clear that the Waimea Community Dam has already had a significant positive economic impact on businesses in the zone of effect and wider region, and we look forward to the certainty and resilience the facility will provide in the future.