PUKAKI RIVER

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25305, 3 October 1947, Page 6

PUKAKI RIVER

DIVERSION NEXT MONTH LIKELY SLUICE STRUCTURE NEAR COMPLETION The diversion of the Pukaki river at its outlet from Lake Pukaki into the new sluice channel will probably be made in the 'first or second wedc of November, reported the District Public Works Engineer (Mr E. F. Evans) yesterday. The concrete sluice structure was reaching the stage when the gate shaft could be installed, and the engineers ‘ were hopeful that the turning of the river would be possible early in November, he said. On the completion of the structure, consideration would be given .to the erection of the dam for storage of the water of Lake Pukaki and the spillway. Tenders for the dam and spillway had not been called yet. The water supply for electric power in Canterbury has greatly improved in the last few days. A rainfall of 1-3 inch was recorded on Wednesday at the Harper river at the head of Lake Coleridge, and it was followed by a fall of two inches and a half of snow. The level of Lake Coleridge yesterday, morning was 1665.5 feet, a rise of 1 foot 4 inches since the beginning oi September, and the latest snowfall will mean a further rise soon. The rainfall was heavy down the alps and towards the coast. Yesterday the Waitaki river had a good flow oi 9822 cusecs, double its winter flow, and four inches of snow were lying at Tekapo yesterday morning. Heavy rain was reported from Waipori yesterday. ' ..