AWAMUTU STREAM

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 52, 25 November 1930, Page 6

AWAMUTU STREAM

Cause of Moera Floods

ENGINEER’S REPORT

The xkwamutu stream, which causes the flooding in Moera, so greatly to the concern of residents there, was originally a slowly moving stream running from the middle of Wiltord Street southward across Riddiford’s paddocks, under a culvert at White’s Line East, through the open country between White’s Line and Hutt Park, and under Park Road to join the AVaiwetu stream. “The Hutt River Board is responsible for the cleaning out of the Waiwetu and Awamutu .Streams,” states the report of four engineers and a surveyor presented to the Government “The channels will require continuous attention to prevent overgrowing of weeds, and to retain the existing grades in the stream bed. It is essential that the Waiwetu Stream channel between Park Road culvert and the estuary lie properly maintained to ensure the utmost rapidity of the flow as soon as the tide is turned. . “The Waiwetu Stream requires further clearing beneath the new bridge at Seaview Road and the head of the training walls adjacent to the Maori Cemetery. The widening of the channel between the outfall training walls should, we feel, be also undertaken by the River Board when opportunity offers to provide an adequate get-away for the tidal and flood waters, and to reduce the silting up of the channel.” . \ The report considered that the existing culverts were just sufficient to deal with the flood water passing through them, but in the case of the Elizabeth Street culvert it would be desirable to construct another span of equal depth by 3 feet wide contiguous to the existing culvert to increase the watering. This • would cost about £l5O. The Future. When the Government land in the locality was thickly populated the flooding Of the Awamutu Stream might be considerably increased, and it might be necessary in the future to give consideration to other means of relieving the flood flow by diverting a portion of the flood water to the Waiwetu Stream or Hutt River by pumping plant or stream diversion, said the report. That, however, would not be for many years. “The low-lying areas referred to, proceeds the report, “may be. breeding grounds for mosquitoes, but it is problematical whether the health of the. community is adversely affected on this account, but the swamp areas must necessarily cause dampness in the vicinity which may be inimical to health of adjacent residents. It is therefore thought that the Government might consider the reclaiming of the swampy areas in certain localities. “There is a small area 6f low-lying ground adjacent to the Awamutu Stream on the railway reserve. The cost of reclaiming this to a point above high flood level would be about £2OO. "Between White’s Line aud Awamutu Stream there is a small piece of land adjacent to the Awamutu Stream on which the stormwater lies. To fill this in to a point above high flood level would cost approximately £lBO. “Between White’s Line and the northern boundary of the Railway Workshops there is a considerable area of swampy land adjoining the'Awamutu Stream. The greater portion of this land is privately owned, and the total cost of reclamation is estimated at £2700. “The Awamutu Stream runs through the corner of the Railway Workshops reserve and there is an area of raupo swamp adjacent to the stream. The cost of filling this area above ordinary flood level would be about £1000.” It was considered the expense was not justified at present. Profitable Reclamation. “Between the industrial line and Elizabeth Street there is a considerable area of raupo swamp adjoining the stream and adjacent to cottages,” states the report. “The cost of filling in this area to a point above ordinary flood level would lie approximately £2600. We consider the area should be filled in to improve the surroundings, the adjoining land being covered with dwellings. If the swamp land adjacent to York Street is filled up to the level of the high ground it would be possible to obtain about five additional sections suitable for building sites. This" additional filling would cost about £4OO. If this is done the Government should be able to recoup itself to the extent of at least one-third of the total expenditure of £3OOO. In addition the filling-in of the swamp will increase the utility of the adjacent land for reserve or other purposes.” The total expenditure was estimated at £3300, less; £lOOO anticipated by sates of sections reclaimed, making the total £2330. Spoil for' reclamation purposes would be obtainable from the Government quarry on the Gracefield Road and transported by motor-lorry.