Benmore Level At Penstock Intakes

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30630, 22 December 1964, Page 3

Benmore Level At Penstock Intakes

(New Zealand Press Association)

OAMARU, December 21

The waters of Lake Benmore reached the penstock intakes early this morning after the week-end to hold back water until operating level is reached.

The level of the intakes is 1131 feet above sea level and at 9.30 a.m. this morning the : lake had risen to 1132 feet i above sea level. The operating level for the i

water to flow down the penstocks is expected to be reached in the first week in January when the testing of generators and turbines will begin.

By the end of this week the lake level will have reached

the crest of the spillway. The sluice gates will then be closed and the spillway gates put to use in controlling the water. During the holiday period the public will be permitted to use the road over the crest of the earth dam and across

the spillway, down the Canterbury side of the Waitaki river and over the downstream bridge for their return to the main OmaramaOamaru highway.

Certain areas are fenced off and some carry warning notices requesting the public to keep clear. Already yachts and boats are using the man-made lake

as a site for their cruising. Aviemore downstream cul

verts have been completed and the concrete lining of the interior of the tunnel is being carried out. Machinery and men from Benmore will step up the tempo of work on the Aviemore project early in the new year.