SOUTH ISLAND POWER

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26477, 19 July 1951, Page 8

SOUTH ISLAND POWER

IMPROVED STORAGE AT LAKES NEARLY 5,000,000 UNITS IN 24 HOURS Water storage for electricity generation in the South Island is building up as a result of this week’s northwest rains in the Southern Alps and the accompanying thaw of snow. For the 24 hours up to 9 a.m. yesterday—the latest period for which the State Hydro-electric Department has a report—water storage in the South Island, excluding Nelson and Marlborough. rose by 4.990.000 units, to bring the total storage to 60,850.000 units.

At the same time the level of Lake Coleridge rose 0.25 ft. Lake Tekapo C 6ft, Lake Pukaki 0.65 ft, Lake Monowai 0.84 ft. and Lake Mahinerangi ■o.67ft.

* These rises followed torrential rain. The department reported falls of 6.2 in at The Hermitage. Mount Cook, 3.5 in at the Harper river. 2.86 in at the Arnold river on the West Coast. 1.91 in at Lake Tekapo, and 1.04 in at Lake Monowai. No fall was recorded at Waitaki or Mahinerangi. and only a trace of rain fell at Highbank. It was still raining yesterday morning at the Arnold river and at Lake Coleridge, but in other places there were signs that the rain was moderating.

“It is too early yet to make any comment.” said the assistant district electrical engineer of the State Hydroelectric Department (Mr E. E. James) when he was asked in Christchurch yesterday whether the improved position might justify a revision of power cuts. “For one thing, we do not know how long this rain is going to last,'' he added.