FLOODS IN RANGITAIKI.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 162, 11 July 1925, Page 9

FLOODS IN RANGITAIKI.

SCHEME FOR PREVENTION. REPORT BY ENGINEER. (By Telogr._o_i.-O.vn CorreslpOndent.. AVHAKATANE, this day. As the result of the recent floods, which the Rangitaiki Ratepayers' Association put down partly to a faulty scheme of drainage of the eastern portion of the plains, the association requested Mr. C. H. Brebner, county engineer, to Teport on the proposed new outfall at Orini. He reports as follows: "Acting upon instructions I have gohe carefully into the question of lowering the level of Water in the Kopeopco outfall, and have come to the conclusion thnt considerable improvement can be effected at its western end. The Kopeopeo outfall, in the form of an open canal, connects with Rangitaiki River. It has at the eastern end a small floodgate, which does not pretend to cope with the body of water behind it owing to tbe formation of a bar on the Raigitaiki outlet. At low water the water level in Kopeopeo outfall is approximately two feet higher than the level of the water in Whakatane River in the vicinity of the Orini cut. If the western end were floodgated and the eastern end diverted from the eastern boundary roAd to the lower end of the Orini cut, and suitably gated, approximately two feet more fall would bo available at low water. Stop-banking would have to be carried out on Rangitaiki River, and also on the TcrahuMangaroa outfall to ensure a Hoodproof drainage area. Very little further sinkage will take place in this area, ns a thick pumice strata lies only a few feet from the surface level of the swamp. To secure maximum drainago of this area it would be necessary to deepen Kopeopeo outfall and instal a pumping station at a point where the eastern drain would meet the Orini cut. It would bo necessary to provide for a lift of eight feet, and, allowing for a flow of seventy cubic feet per second, an electrically-driven motor of eighty horse-power would be required. The pumping station would cost £800; pump and motor, £1000; total, £1800; annual running coßt. £000. I am convinced that the foregoing would provide adequate drainage for this large block of country and prove a sound investment for the Government and the settlers concerned."