RIVER CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25346, 30 October 1945, Page 2

RIVER CONTROL

LEVEL BECOBPEBS

CATCHMENT BOARDS' WORK

(OWANG AN UI. Monday By introducing automatic level recorders and other gauges of simpler operation" fur the principal rivers ill \cu Zealand, the Soil Conservation and Bivers Control Boards will be ill a position to compile hydrological data, wliich will give an inventory of the whole of the Dominion's water resources. This work is to be carried out hy catchment boards, several of which are set tip. "As soon as staff and equipment are available, the Biver Control Council will establish a series of stations for the continuous measurement of stream How on a wider basis than formerly," stated a letter received by the Itangitikei Catchment .Hoard. "Water level recorders and current meters have been unobtainable, but it is likely that a small supply will be available soon. Far more will be required for anything like a complete network of New Zealand, but some details of suitable sites are required, so that the necessary equipment can be ordered.' In asking the board to recommend where tbe first, hydrological station should be established in the district, the council advised that the automatic level recorders would be confined to the main rivers and would form the most important stations. Supplies ot these were limited, but three would be available for the Kangitikei district. Gauges, however, were cheap to establish, but must be read regularly hy some observer. 'I hese readings would be supplemented by special readings ot high flood levels, but their value would be less than those of the automatic recorders. The board's consulting engineer, Mr H. Farquhar, said the object of the gauge was to enable the board to determine the run-off from the _ various catchment areas in the district. '"ln this way," he added, "it is possible to get an inventory of the water resources in the whole of the Dominion." Mr Farquhar said that a gauge which recorded the rise and fall of the Manawatu Biver gave reliable information as to flood conditions. Such gauges -were operated by electrical impulses -which recorded every rise of 3in.