Report on Estuary

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33032, 27 September 1972, Page 16

Report on Estuary

If the Estuary was dredged to between 3ft 6in and sft below mean low water level, as envisaged for the area to be an aquatic playground, there might be some loss of drainage benefit, the chief engineer (Mr P. J. Me William) said in a report to the Christchurch Drainage Board last evening on his visit to the Hydraulics Research Station, Wallingford, England. The station has made a model of the Estuary of the Avon and Heathcote Rivers to study possible improvements for Christchurch drainage.

The station thought that if a barrier was built and closed only for the periods consistent with drainage requirements there would be little risk of change of outfall direction, Mr McWilliam said. If a barrier was closed for any length of time for aquatic playground purposes the risks were increased. Retention of water behind a barrier for aquatic sports could or would be in conflict with land drainage requirements. McCormacks Bay was not considered to play a material part in the Estuary and reclamation or retention of a water area within the bay would not have any detrimental effect on the Estuary, the station told Mr McWilliam. The station considered that

of the works tested on the model the river improvements and the Woolston cut should be considered the first essentials.