POWER SHORTAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 201, 26 August 1930, Page 5

POWER SHORTAGE.

ECONOMY IN CHRISTCHURCH.

FALL IN LEVEL OF LAKE COLERIDGE.

STEAM PLANT OPERATING,

ißj Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this day,

The steam plant of the Christchurcli Tramway Board is ready ,to operate as from to-day in order to assist the Public Works Department in coping -with a shortage of electric power through an unprecedented dry spell in the back country and the consequent fall in the level of Lake Coleridge. An appeal has been made 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 dry weather continue for the next few weeks the level of the lake may be so reduced that the present maximum load could not be carried.

"The position at Lake Coleridge," said Mr. R. G. Mac Gibbon. resident electrical engineer of the Public Works Department, "is unprecedented because of the unusual lack of rain and snow in the back country. Since the beginning of March this year, when the lake level was 1070 ft, the rainfall has been exceptionally low. 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 the lake storage has been steadily drawn upon to make up tho deflcienoy. Tho result is that the level has fallen from 1670 ft at the beginning of March, to 1658.9 ft at present, a drop of 11.1 ft. The new intake was designed so that a load of 27,000 k.w. could be carried with a lake level of 1656 ft, or a proportionately lower level with a decreased load.

''There is, therefore, still available a large amount of storage in the lakes At the same time it is felt by the Department that should the present dry weather continue for the next few weeks the continual lowering of the lake would result in a stage when the maximum at present existing could not be carried. In order to prevent such a situation arising the Department has asked the Christchurch Tramway Board immediately to operate its steam plant to full capacity. This plant will be run until such time as the situation becomes satisfactory. A great deal of assistance can be rendered in reducing the demand if all consumers exercise strict economy in the use of electricity for the next few weeks.

"Having regard to the possibility of similar conditions arising next year, when there will be a natural increase in the 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 soon as possible and will provide for a considerable additional supply of water."