IRRIGATION IN CENTRAL OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 21641, 9 February 1934, Page 2

IRRIGATION IN CENTRAL OTAGO

KEW LOWED MANUHERIKIA BAM One of the most popular trips for visitors to Alexandra, Central Otago, is to the new Lower Manuherikia dam, situated on the Manorburu stream, two miles from the town. A massive structure of concrete, though not as large as some of the other irrigation dams, it appears to have fulfilled expectations in holding back a very large quantity of water to enable a greater supply to be made available to irrigators on the Galloway scheme, and to enable an additional area of :iSO acres to be irrigated in the district, where the rainfall the year before last was only 10 inches. Work was commenced on the scheme by the Public Works Department early last year, and at that time only a small stream was coming down the valley. But to-day, as the pictures show, the dam which has been erected is holding back a large area of water, estimated at about 27,000,1X10 gallons. Some weeks ago the water rose to the top of the dam, and it resembles a miniature Niagara as it splashes over the top. the effect of the spray in the bright Central sunshine being most spectacular. At one side of the dam is the race conveying the water for irrigation, this being seen at the foot of one of the pictures. Apart from its value in increasing the productivity of the district, the dam is regarded by the residents of Alexandra as a valuable asset in that it is hoped in the surroundings to pro-

vide one ol the greatest playgrounds in Central Otago. Set as it is in the beautiful Manorburu creek, and surrounded by the natural scenery of the Buggedys, it will require little aid to make it a real beauty spot. The water goes hack into the hills for some miles, and in such delightful surroundings it