Hawea's Latent Power

Cromwell Argus, 15 July 1929, Page 4

Hawea's Latent Power

fTS DEVELOPMENT PROPOSE. ON ECONOMIC LINES. At tlie moment the burning question for the progress and settlement of Central Otago is an adequate •->upply of water for many thousands ot acres of arid'lands, which, if given water, would produce abundantly, irrigation is no new question. Numerous schemes in inland Otago have been instituted, but only now are the mistakes of. the early schemes being remedied and the necessity for greater supplies made evident. Likewise it is being seriously considered whether or not pumping by electricity with the vast lakes as a source ot power, and the inexhaustible m as a basis of supply, should not succeed the costly and lengthy mountain schemes which are always liabie to serious interruption. Between Cromwell and Lake Hawea, it is reuabi> stated that there are 60,000 acres 01 land awaiting water, and througn u nows tne wonderful Ctutha jvivei. just now the district is by petition making a strong appeal to the government for an irrigation scheme tot part of this area, .but ever in mino are the great natural resources at Hawea (says a "Star" spoeiiu,. Repeated appeals have not immediate favour with the Government. It is opportune, therefore, that at the moment comes word ot a proposed to utilise this great source, fu the Warden's- Court on Tuesuay, applications were filed by E. J. lies, which form the basis of, a scheiiK worthy of more than passing notice. These are for a water right of 5,00 u heads and dam at the. Hawea kivw and a race of some 20 chains to tne proposed hydro-electric station on the banks of the Hawea River. This will be the basis of a scheme Avhich by initial and subsequent units would eventually develop the full capacity of this source. The scheme has an advantage over any other in that it presents no engineering difficulties once preliminaries are disposed of, and it will be organised on lines mainly co-operative. An elaborate plan of a scheme and reticulation has been in readiness for some time. The purpose of the rights is irrigation and mining, and if successful power >vould be made available for settlers individually or collectively, to have pumping power for their requirements, while in so doing they would oecome part and parcel of the scheme. The price of water has been carefully computed not to exceed 8s per acre, while the supply per acre would be far in excess of any existing scheme. Coming to the foundation of the scheme, there is alongside the presen* outlet of the lake a. defined channel of earlier years. This it is proposed to excavate to the required level and construct therein gates, controlling a race of 60ft by 30ft, which can be done -'dry shod." The final diversion of water through this is a mere detail, and the present channel can readily be blocked by a rubble wall. An equally defined channel continues down the river's course and could readily be made available to iustal further units along the river. These are a few details of the scheme in liand, and when the public is- more fully acquainted with the facts it will call fo more than passing attention. Lconomy in construction and security of power and supply are features which appeal. The scheme would be instituted on lines which will appeal to the Government, and its development on the lines indicated must be of. immense benefit in solving one of the many irrigation problems in Central Otago. It would sound progress and development for the whole of the Upper Clutha Valley.