Plan To Reduce Hoods Near Run

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30562, 3 October 1964, Page 23

Plan To Reduce Hoods Near Run

A combined soil and water conservation scheme in the High Peak run area could possibly reduce flooding in the lower Selwyn river by 60 to 80 per cent, said Mr D. R. Wilkie at yesterday’s meeting of the North Canterbury Catchment Board.

The board was discussing a clause in the report of its soil conservation committee recommending that a farm conservation plan for High Peak run be sent to the Soil Conservation Council for approval. The plan was estimated to cost £5700 over five years.

The committee’s recommendation was adopted. The farm plan was for soil conservation and was a very laudable one, but as far as water conservation was concerned it was very meagre,

said Mr Wilkie. If the two were put together there could be a 60 to 80 per cent flood reduction in the Lower Selwyn river. This could be achieved by putting in detention dams in the High Peak area of the Selwyn headwaters.

Mr H. E. Connor said the farm plan should be sent forward so that the proposed work would not be held up and the other plan could be considered later. After the committee’s recommendation had been adopted, Mr Wilkie moved that, in addition to the High Peak farm plan, sites for detention dams be sought and a complete soil conservation and water control plan for the area be put before the Soil Conservation Council at a later date.

Mr E. J. Stalker seconded the motion and it was carried.