SHORTAGE FEARED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 268, 26 August 1930, Page 3

SHORTAGE FEARED

POWER FROM COLERIDGE. LAKE COLERIDGE AT LOW LEVEL TRAMWAY LOAD TAKEN OFF. (Special to the “Guardian.”) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Faced with a shortage of electric power through an unprecedented drought in the back country and the consequent fall in the level of Lake Coleridge, the Public Works Department lias asked the Christchurch Tramway Board to bring into operation from to-day its own steam generating plant, and is appealing to the public for strict economy in the use of domestic current. While there is no immediate cause for anxiety, it is felt that should the present drought continue for the next few weeks the level 6f the lake may be so reduced that the maximum load at present existing could not be carried. The diversion of the River Achei’on, which will provide a considerable additional supply of water, is being immediately put in hand and will be completed as soon as possible. The Department’s frank statement pf the position and the steps which it has taken will, it is believed, remove the . possibility of any acute shortage.

The positoin, at Lake Coleridge and the action taken by the Department are explained in a statement by Mr R. G. Mac Gibbon, resident electrical engineer, Public Works Department. “Owing to the unprecedented lack of rain, and snow in the back country, the present level of Lake Coleridge is considerably lower than would have been the case if normal weather conditions had prevailed. Since the beginning of March this year, when the lake level was 1670 feet, the rainfal. has been exceptionally low, and the flow from the natural lake feeders, plus that from the Harper River, has been gradually decreasing until they have established a record for minimum flow. “As the draw-off from the lake to supply the turbines is greater than the minimum inflow into the lake, the lake shortage has been steadily drawn upon to make up the deficiency, with the result that the level has fallen from 1670 feet at the beginning of March to 1659.9 feet at the present time—a drop of 11.1 feet. , . “The new intake was designed so that a load of 27,000 kilowatts could be earned with a lake level of 1656 feet, on a proportionately lower level with a decreased load. There is, therefore, still available a large amount oi storage in the lake. “At the same time, it is felt by the Department that, should the present drought continue for the next few weeks, the continual lowering of the lake would result in a stage when the maximum load at present existing could not be carried. Strick Economy Urged.

“In order to prevent such a situation arising, the Department has asked the Christchurch Tramway Board immediately to operate their steam plant to its full capacity, and this plant will be run until such time as the situation becomes satisfactory. “A great deal of assistance can lie rendered in reducing the demand by all consumers exercising strict economy in the use of electricity for the next few weeks, and, the department would be grateful for such assistance “It should be borne in mind that there is no immediate cause for anxiety regarding supply, but the* Departmen feels that, in the interests of consumers generallv, a frank statement of the situation should be made public, ihe steps being taken by the Department and the assistance rendered by consumers generally will, it is consideieu, remove the possibility of any untoward situation arising before the prolonged drought has broken. “With regard to the possibility oi similar conditions arising next year when there will he a natural increase of load, the Department has decided to put in hand immediately the .diversion of the Acheron River into Lake Coleridge This work will be completed as ,oon as possible, and will provide for a considerable additional supply oi water.” TRAMWAY BOARD ARRANGEMENTS. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Something in the nature of a bombshell was dropped at the meeting oi the Christchurch Tramway Board yestei day, when notification was receive, that, owing to the dron in the level of Lake Coleridge, the hoard’s power Plant would have to be put into operation to-day to simply power for the trams. The board was informed that it would have to provide power for the trams forithree months. _ The general manager (Mr Frank Thompson) said that Mr Mac Gibbon had waited on him and informed him that the hoard would have to generate its own power for the next two or three months owing to the shortage of watei at Lake Coleridge.