TAUPO OUTLET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23993, 17 June 1941, Page 8

TAUPO OUTLET

DIVERSION OF RIVER EROSION QUESTION THE EFFECT UPON TROUT (0 .c.) ROTORUA. Monday Erosion from the new course ipto which the Waikato River has been diverted at the outlet from Lake Taupo is not expected seriously to affect the spawning trout or the feeding grounds, stated the conservator of fish and game, Mr. A. Kean, to-dny. The possibility of this had been discussed by officers of the Internal Affairs and Public Works Departments, and it appeared that every effort was being made to reduce erosion to a minimum. Mr. Kean considered that had the cut been opened from the end nearest the lake and the full force of the river diverted through before it was filled with water, the erosion would have been considerable. He stressed, however, that river discoloration did not have the adverse effects on fish hie generally supposed. The duel damage would have been to the feeding grounds between the lake and the Aratiatia Rapids, which provide one of the best dry-fly grounds in the district. Any discoloration would not affect the spawning, which had started during last month. It had not been necessary to construct a fish ladder, as the flow of water would never be completely interrupted, said Mr. Kean. He added that the rise in the level of Lake Taupo during the summer was likely to have important and unpredictable results on the fishing close to the shore.