The Waikato Independent WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 1946. Steps Taken To Control Seepage

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIII, Issue 6036, 23 October 1946, Page 4

The Waikato Independent WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 1946. Steps Taken To Control Seepage

THE KARAPIRO LAKE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES An extensive undertaking which has been carried out upstream from the Karapiro Hydro Electric Works, where only a narrow shoulder of pumice land separates the river from the flat country running back to the Karapiro Stream is now well on the way to completion. This operation, which has been carried out with some degree of secrecy, caused a certain amount of apprehension on the part of farmers living in the vicinity, and it is reassuring, to learn now that the work is of a precautionary nature and is proceeding satisfactorily in spite of difficulties.

j From Rishworth's gully to the drop behind Mr Sugden's property is only a few hundred yards, and every l precaution has had to be taken to enI sure that undue seepage from the lake would not occur. The whole of the country in the vicinity is water-bear-ing and there was a large basin of, swamp land behind Mr Sugden's farm. This has been dried after several months of continual pumping, and a huge culvert is now being constructed Ito carry the water from an underground stream to the Karapiro Creek. It is this btream which has provided some difficulty, but the scheme being completed now will take the water direct from the hillside to the creek. When interviewed; Mr J. T. Gilkinscn, the engineer in charge at Karai ph'o, intimated that the work was I proceeding satisfactorily. He iniimatied that though the operations ; upstream were of a comprehensive nature they were precautionary and based on experience gained from the effects of the lake on the soil at Arapuni. A considerable amount of grouting had been clone. One angle of apprehension among the farmers was caused by rumours that flood leakage had taken place between the Tunakawa and Karapiro streams as a result of recent floods in the Waikato River. The matter was I placed before Mr W. S. Goosman, M.P. who referred it on to the Minister of Works, Mr Semple. The Minister has replied that he discussed the matter with Mr Beck, Deputy Commissioner of Works, who gave an assurance that such an occurrence was a physical impossibility in view of the fact that the water level ci'the Waikato River was 60ft. below the water level of the Karapiro Stream at the point where the leakage v.;:s alleged to have talced place. Mr. Semple raid that the height of the' noimal Waikato River above sea level

at the point of comparison was approximately 72ft., whereas that of the Karapiro Creek was approximately 130 ft. "The Deputy Commissioner of Works has since been in communication wijh the engineer in charge who advises that there is nothing whatsoever in the rumour and that there' have been no increased flows from the drains in the Karapiro Creek due to extra water in the Waikato River," added the Minister. "Evidently those who have' been alarmed have mistaken the increase in the run-off of the Karapiro Creek in common with all other creeks in the neighbourhood due to the heavy rains. This, of | course, is a natural phenomenon, and I nothing whatever to do with the flow from the Waikato River. Incidentally the Waikato River did not have a j flood in"it at the time referred to." j