LEVELS COUNTY IRRIGATION

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21886, 12 September 1936, Page 14

LEVELS COUNTY IRRIGATION

PROGRESS OF SCHEME OUTLINED PARTIAL SUPPLY IN SIX WEEKS A permanent supply of water will be available from about November 1 for part of the area to be served by the irrigation works now being constructed by the Public Works Department in the Levels county. This estimate was given yesterday by Mr F. Langbein, engineer in Christchurch for the department, on his return from an inspection of the work, which was undertaken in June of last year. The estimated cost of the scheme is £53,000, and it is anticipated that the scheme will be in complete operation next year. Mr Langbein said that about 85 per cent, of the earthworks had been constructed, as well as about 40 per cent, of the structures. Ail the sheet piling for the intake was in position, and the placing of the concrete was now being undertaken. If there were no extraordinary changes in the weather, he anticipated that a permanent supply of water would be available to serve part of the area by the beginning of November. Last year about 50 acres had been served from the stock-races, but the supply of water had been insufficient. The same area would be served again, this time with a permanent supply, and a considerable area in addition to this would be benefited. The first major operation in the scheme, which will serve nearly 13,000 acres, was the construction of the m'ain and lateral races to convey the water over the area. The mam race, which runs from the intake on the banks of the Opihi river, near Pleasant Point, has been designed to carry 180 cusecs of water, thus giving a supply sufficient to irrigate much more than the area of 12,800 acres contemplated by the,scheme. Many miles of earthworks have been constructed in conjunction with the races. . In size and flow the mam race has the dimensions of a considerable stream. The report of Mr T. G. Beck, irrigation engineer in charge of the surveys for the department, on which the scheme is based, estimates that the mean demand for water will be 90 cusecs, and the maximum peak demand 143.5 cusecs. The report also states that the drainage for at least 11,000 of the 12,800 acres to be served is excellent, and that for the greater part of the area the general levels of the land are so regular that construction and operation costs should be low.