‘Irrigating more land’
Sir—The claim by E. B. Williams (“The Press,” October 16) that development of the Lower Rakaia irrigation scheme would reduce average flows in the Rakaia by less than 5 per cent is wrong. With an average gorge flow of 197 cumecs (cubic metres per second) the planned abstraction of 20 cumecs for this scheme would reduce flows by 10 per cent. With the additional loss of at least 50 cumecs for the proposed central plains irrigation and hydro-electric scheme, the combined abstraction of 70 cumecs would result in a 35 per cent reduction to the average flows. However, these figures tell only, part of the story. During critical months such as the period JanuaryApril, 1971, average daily discharge was 117 cumecs. Under the North Canterbury Catchment Board's 1974 water allocation plan, a flow of 42 cumecs would be retained for ecological requirements, resulting in a 64 per cent reduction to the natural flow. This loss is unacceptable to recreational interests, and proves that the balance is firmly tipped to the pro-development sector.— Yours, etc,, . K. HUGHEY. October 16. 1981.
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Press, 20 October 1981, Page 20
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182‘Irrigating more land’ Press, 20 October 1981, Page 20
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