Tons of Silt Removed From Tiritea Dam

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7268, 22 September 1933, Page 6

Tons of Silt Removed From Tiritea Dam

HEAVY BAIN FACILITATES WORK Although the city supply has not been influenced in the least the Tiritea dam, Palmerston North’s main water supply, has been empty for nearly a fortnight. No water pours over the spillway and the lake held in check by a vast concrete wall no longer exists. Workmen arc 'busily engaged in removing the huge collection of silt that has gathered in the enclosure over a period of years.

Formerly holding in check 33 million gallons of water the dam was emptied in order to allow this important work to proceed, and the special emergency dam erected higher up has been called into use to liokl a million gallons to meet the town’s requirements until the necessary work is completed some time in November.

The emergency dam is being fed practically direct from t/ho stream that supplied the main reservoir and. with the adverse weather conditions prevailing, it requires special attention. Men were engaged throughout last night watching it to prevent excessive flooding. The bottom portion of the main dam was cleared out last year but with the water out men arc now working solidly on the contract of cleaning the upper portion.

Fifteen of the council’s permanent staff are on the job at present and thousands of cubic yards of silt—representing tons of soil and debris—have been removed to date.

With the flood reaching the proportions it did yesterday it was noticed last evening that the overflow was finding its way past the emergency dam into the main ono and, at tliat time was assisting to an extent to clean out the soil. If the rain continues, however, it will probably hold up the cleaning work for a period as the old dam will fill up again rapidly.