List of reservoirs and dams in New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Many of the largest dams and reservoirs in New Zealand have been developed principally to produce hydroelectricity
. Other uses include irrigation and municipal water supply.
Other schemes are standalone developments associated with specific sites.
(1,400 GWh) diverts water from the south side of Mount Ruapehu
and the west and north sides of Tongariro into Lake Taupo
, and thus eventually into the Waikato River.
, are (capacity in MW and nominal annual energy output in GWh):
dam was built first, without earthmoving machinery, followed by the development of the Aviemore Dam
on Lake Aviemore
and Benmore Dam
on Lake Benmore
. Lake Pukaki
was initially dammed at this stage to provide storage and flow control. A small station was also installed on Lake Tekapo
, but although it has a small dam to raise the pre-existing lake, water was taken through a 1.6 km (0.994196378639691 mi) tunnel to a powerstation below the level of the lake.
In the 1960s, work was started on the Upper Waitaki project. This project consisted of taking the discharge from the original Tekapo (A) station through a canal to the edge of Lake Pukaki, with Tekapo B station between the canal and the Lake. The dam at Pukaki was increased in height. Water from Pukaki is then transferred into a canal which meets a canal from Lake Ohau, where it drops through Ohau A into Lake Ruataniwha
. Lake Ruataniwha feeds a further canal, with Ohau B midway along, before emptying through Ohau C into Lake Benmore.
The stations are (capacity) (annual output) (commissioned)
The original Waitaki power stations discharge water back into the Waitaki River which then forms a storage lake for the next station in the chain.
The three power stations are:
Project Aqua
was a proposed scheme of 6 dams on a man made canal running from the Waitaki Dam to the sea. It was cancelled by Meridian Energy
on 29 March 2004.
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
. Other uses include irrigation and municipal water supply.
Hydro-electric dams
The main river systems comprising a series of dams and powerhouses are situated on the following rivers:- The Waikato RiverWaikato RiverThe Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand. In the North Island, it runs for 425 kilometres from the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu, joining the Tongariro River system and emptying into Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. It drains Taupo at the lake's northeastern edge, creates the...
- The Waitaki RiverWaitaki RiverThe Waitaki River is a large river in the South Island of New Zealand, some 110 km long. It is the major river of the Mackenzie Basin.It is a braided river which flows through Lake Benmore, Lake Aviemore and Lake Waitaki. These are ultimately fed by three large glacial lakes, Pukaki, Tekapo,...
- The Clutha RiverClutha RiverThe Clutha River / Mata-Au is the second longest river in New Zealand flowing south-southeast through Central and South Otago from Lake Wanaka in the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean, south west of Dunedin. It is the highest volume river in New Zealand, and the swiftest, with a catchment of ,...
Other schemes are standalone developments associated with specific sites.
Tongariro Power Scheme
The Tongariro Power SchemeTongariro Power Scheme
The Tongariro Power Scheme is a 360 MW hydroelectricity scheme in the central North Island of New Zealand. The scheme is currently operated by state-owned electricity generation company Genesis Energy....
(1,400 GWh) diverts water from the south side of Mount Ruapehu
Mount Ruapehu
Mount Ruapehu, or just Ruapehu, is an active stratovolcano at the southern end of the Taupo Volcanic Zone in New Zealand. It is 23 kilometres northeast of Ohakune and 40 kilometres southwest of the southern shore of Lake Taupo, within Tongariro National Park...
and the west and north sides of Tongariro into Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo is a lake situated in the North Island of New Zealand. With a surface area of , it is the largest lake by surface area in New Zealand, and the second largest freshwater lake by surface area in geopolitical Oceania after Lake Murray ....
, and thus eventually into the Waikato River.
- Rangipo (underground cavern) (120 MW)
- TokaanuTokaanuTokaanu is a small settlement close to Turangi at the southern end of Lake Taupo. The Tokaanu Thermal Pools and the easy access to Lake Taupo make it a popular lakeside holiday destination. A short walking track through the Tokaanu thermal area leads past steaming hot mineral pools and small mud...
(240 MW)
The Waikato
The hydro stations, starting from Lake TaupoLake Taupo
Lake Taupo is a lake situated in the North Island of New Zealand. With a surface area of , it is the largest lake by surface area in New Zealand, and the second largest freshwater lake by surface area in geopolitical Oceania after Lake Murray ....
, are (capacity in MW and nominal annual energy output in GWh):
- AratiatiaAratiatiaAratiatia Power Station is a hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the first hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, and is located downstream of Lake Taupo....
(84 MW) (331 GWh) - Ohakuri (112 MW) (400 GWh)
- AtiamuriAtiamuriAtiamuri is a former Hydro village in the central North Island of New Zealand. It lies alongside State Highway One about 45 km north of Taupo. It is bordered by the Waikato River and surrounded by pine plantations...
(84 MW) (305 GWh) - Whakamaru (100 MW) (486 GWh)
- MaraetaiLake MaraetaiLake Maraetai is one of several artificial lakes formed as part of a hydroelectricity scheme on the Waikato River in the North Island of New Zealand...
(360 MW) (855 GWh) - Waipapa (51 MW) (330 GWh)
- ArapuniLake ArapuniLake Arapuni is one of several artificial lakes formed as part of a hydroelectricity scheme on the Waikato River in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 65 kilometres southeast of Hamilton, to the north of Mangakino....
(171 MW) (805 GWh) - KarapiroKarapiro Power StationThe Karapiro Power Station is a hydroelectric power station on Waikato River, in the North Island of New Zealand. The power station station lies on Lake Karapiro, upstream from the city of Hamilton...
(90 MW) (490 GWh)
The Waitaki
The river was developed in multiple stages. The WaitakiLake Waitaki
Lake Waitaki is the smallest, oldest and farthest downstream of the three man-made lakes of the Waitaki hydroelectric project in New Zealand's South Island. It lies below lakes Aviemore and Benmore on the Waitaki River, close to the town of Kurow...
dam was built first, without earthmoving machinery, followed by the development of the Aviemore Dam
Aviemore Dam
The Aviemore Dam is a dam of the Waitaki River in New Zealand. Built from earth and concrete in the 1960s to dam Lake Aviemore, it is one of the major dams of Meridian Energy, and is used to power a hydroelectric power plant...
on Lake Aviemore
Lake Aviemore
Lake Aviemore or Mahi Tikumu is a man-made lake in New Zealand's South Island, part of the Waitaki hydroelectric scheme. Immediately upstream is Lake Benmore and downstream Lake Waitaki...
and Benmore Dam
Benmore Dam
Benmore Dam is the largest dam within the Waitaki power scheme, located in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand's South Island. There are eight other power stations in the valley....
on Lake Benmore
Lake Benmore
Lake Benmore is a lake located in the South Island of New Zealand. It was artificially created in the 1960s by construction of Benmore Dam. The lake covers an area of approximately 75 km²...
. Lake Pukaki
Lake Pukaki
Lake Pukaki is the largest of three roughly parallel alpine lakes running north-south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin on New Zealand's South Island. The others are Lakes Tekapo and Ohau...
was initially dammed at this stage to provide storage and flow control. A small station was also installed on Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is the second-largest of three roughly parallel lakes running north–south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island of New Zealand...
, but although it has a small dam to raise the pre-existing lake, water was taken through a 1.6 km (0.994196378639691 mi) tunnel to a powerstation below the level of the lake.
In the 1960s, work was started on the Upper Waitaki project. This project consisted of taking the discharge from the original Tekapo (A) station through a canal to the edge of Lake Pukaki, with Tekapo B station between the canal and the Lake. The dam at Pukaki was increased in height. Water from Pukaki is then transferred into a canal which meets a canal from Lake Ohau, where it drops through Ohau A into Lake Ruataniwha
Lake Ruataniwha
Lake Ruataniwha is located in the Mackenzie Basin in New Zealand's South Island. An artificial lake, it was formed as part of the Waitaki hydroelectric project....
. Lake Ruataniwha feeds a further canal, with Ohau B midway along, before emptying through Ohau C into Lake Benmore.
The stations are (capacity) (annual output) (commissioned)
- Tekapo A (25 MW) (160 GWh) 1955
- Tekapo B (160 MW) (800 GWh) 1977
- Ohau A (264 MW) (1150 GWh) 1980
- Ohau B (212 MW) (970 GWh) 1984/1985
- Ohau C (212 MW) (970 GWh) 1984/1985
The original Waitaki power stations discharge water back into the Waitaki River which then forms a storage lake for the next station in the chain.
The three power stations are:
- BenmoreBenmore DamBenmore Dam is the largest dam within the Waitaki power scheme, located in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand's South Island. There are eight other power stations in the valley....
(540 MW) (2,200 GWh) 1965 - AviemoreAviemore DamThe Aviemore Dam is a dam of the Waitaki River in New Zealand. Built from earth and concrete in the 1960s to dam Lake Aviemore, it is one of the major dams of Meridian Energy, and is used to power a hydroelectric power plant...
(220 MW) (940 GWh) 1968 - Waitaki (105 MW) (500 GWh) 1935
Project Aqua
Project Aqua
Project Aqua is an abandoned hydroelectric scheme once proposed for the lower Waitaki River in New Zealand. Although the scheme had considerable support from some locals, it met with considerable opposition from others, and Meridian Energy decided in March 2004 not to go ahead with the project.The...
was a proposed scheme of 6 dams on a man made canal running from the Waitaki Dam to the sea. It was cancelled by Meridian Energy
Meridian Energy
Meridian Energy Limited is a New Zealand state-owned electricity generator and retailer. The company generates the largest proportion of New Zealand's electricity, generating 32 percent of the country's electricity in the year ending 31 December 2009, and is the fourth-equal largest retailer, with...
on 29 March 2004.
- See also: Lake BenmoreLake BenmoreLake Benmore is a lake located in the South Island of New Zealand. It was artificially created in the 1960s by construction of Benmore Dam. The lake covers an area of approximately 75 km²...
, Lake AviemoreLake AviemoreLake Aviemore or Mahi Tikumu is a man-made lake in New Zealand's South Island, part of the Waitaki hydroelectric scheme. Immediately upstream is Lake Benmore and downstream Lake Waitaki...
, Lake RuataniwhaLake RuataniwhaLake Ruataniwha is located in the Mackenzie Basin in New Zealand's South Island. An artificial lake, it was formed as part of the Waitaki hydroelectric project....
, and Lake WaitakiLake WaitakiLake Waitaki is the smallest, oldest and farthest downstream of the three man-made lakes of the Waitaki hydroelectric project in New Zealand's South Island. It lies below lakes Aviemore and Benmore on the Waitaki River, close to the town of Kurow...
Standalone hydroelectric schemes
- ManapouriManapouri Power StationManapouri Power Station is an underground hydroelectric power station on the western arm of Lake Manapouri in Fiordland National Park, in the South Island of New Zealand...
(850 MW) (4,800 GWh)
- Manapouri does not rely on a high dam to provide water – it takes advantage of the natural 178-metre height difference between Lake ManapouriLake ManapouriLake Manapouri is a lake in the South Island of New Zealand. Its name is Maori for "sorrowful heart", though this name is misapplied due to an early cartographical error...
and the sea at Deep CoveDeep Cove, New ZealandDeep Cove is an arm of Doubtful Sound, a deep indentation in the southwest coast of New Zealand's South Island. Along with the Hall Arm, which lies to the southwest of Deep Cove, it forms one of the two most remote parts of the sound from the Tasman Sea, with its mouth being from the mouth of...
in Doubtful SoundDoubtful SoundDoubtful Sound is a very large and naturally imposing fjord in Fiordland, in the far south west of New Zealand. It is located in the same region as the smaller but more famous and accessible Milford Sound...
, in FiordlandFiordlandFiordland is a geographic region of New Zealand that is situated on the south-western corner of the South Island, comprising the western-most third of Southland. Most of Fiordland is dominated by the steep sides of the snow-capped Southern Alps, deep lakes and its ocean-flooded, steep western valleys...
. The power house is in an underground cavern, while two tailrace tunnels take the water from the power house 10 km (6 mi) to Deep Cove and the sea. The Manapouri Control Structure (Mararoa dam) downstream from the original outlet of Lake Manapouri controls the lake level, and feeds water from the Mararoa river back up the river into the Lake.
North Island
- Kaimai Scheme – Kaimai (0.4 MW), Lloyd Mandeno (15.6 MW), Lower Mangapapa (6.25 MW), Ruahihi (20 MW) – Scheme: (165 GWh)
- Aniwhenua Dam (25 MW) (135 GWh) – Bay of Plenty (Upriver from Matahina dam)
- Matahina Dam (36 MW) (300 GWh) – on the Rangitaiki River, Bay of Plenty
- Lake Waikaremoana Scheme – 3 Dams: Kaitawa (36 MW), Tuai (60 MW), and Piripaua (42 MW).
- Wheao & Flaxy (26 MW) (115 GWh)
- Hinemaiaia – A (2.25 MW), B (1.35 MW), C (2.85 MW) – (30 GWh) – near Taupo
- Motukawa (4.6 MW) (25.8 GWh) – Taranaki
- Mangorie (4.5 MW) (20.9 GWh) – Taranaki
- Patea DamPatea DamThe Patea Dam is a high compacted earth fill–type hydroelectric dam in New Zealand, constructed between 1979 and 1984. The Patea Hydro Electric Scheme first produced power in May 1984. After construction difficulties, wetter than normal conditions had caused a six-month delay. It is operated by...
(31 MW) (115 GWh) (Peak Station) – Taranaki - Mangahao DamMangahao Power StationMangahao Power Station is a hydroelectric power station near the town of Shannon, New Zealand. It was opened in 1924 and is now operated by Todd Energy.It is one of the oldest large power stations in New Zealand.-References:*...
(30 MW) – Tararuas - Kourarau Scheme (1 MW) – Wairarapa
South Island
- Waihopai (2.5 MW) (11.8 GWh)t
- Branch River – (Wairau & Argyle Stations) (11 MW) (54.3 GWh) – Run of River canals.
- Cobb DamCobb Power StationThe Cobb Power Station is a hydroelectric facility on the Cobb River, 112 km northwest of Nelson, New Zealand. Since 2003, it has been owned and operated by TrustPower. Annual generation is approximately 190 GWh....
(32 MW) – Golden Bay - ArnoldArnold River, New ZealandThe Arnold River is located in the west of New Zealand's South Island. It is the outflow of Lake Brunner, which it links with the Grey River. The Arnold River flows northwest for 20 kilometres, joining the Grey immediately above the town of Brunner, some 15 kilometres from the Tasman Sea...
Dam (3 MW) (25 GWh) – West Coast - Dillmans (0.5 MW), Duffers (3.5 MW), Kumara (6.5 MW) – Scheme: (47.9 GWh)
- Kaniere ForksLake KaniereLake Kaniere is located on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It lies 30 kilometres southeast of Hokitika, and drains into the Tasman Sea via the Kaniere and Hokitika rivers...
(0.43 MW) (3.75 GWh) & MacKays Creek (1.1 MW) (8 GWh) - Wahapo (3.1 MW) (14.5 GWh) – South Westland
- Lake ColeridgeColeridge Power StationThe Coleridge Power Station is a hydroelectric facility at Lake Coleridge on the Rakaia River in Canterbury, New Zealand. The power station is owned and operated by TrustPower...
(45 MW) (205 to 300 GWh) – Canterbury – Diverted rivers and natural lake. - Highbank (25.2 MW) (115 GWh) – Canterbury – joint power & irrigation.
- Montalto (1.1 MW – 1.8 MW) (12 GWh) – Canterbury – joint power & irrigation.
- Opuha Dam (7.5 MW) – Canterbury – joint power & irrigation.
- Paerau (10 MW, 47.8 GWh) & Patearoa (2.25 MW, 7.5 GWh) – Taieri RiverTaieri RiverThe Taieri River is the fourth-longest river in New Zealand and is located in Otago in the South Island. Rising in the Lammerlaw ranges, it initially flows north, then east around the Rock and Pillar range before turning southeast, reaching the sea 30 km south of Dunedin.The upper reaches meander...
, Otago – joint power & irrigation. - WaiporiWaipori RiverThe Waipori River is located in Otago in the South Island of New Zealand. Rising in the Lammerlaw Range, it flows southeast for 50 kilometres before joining the Taieri River near Henley, 30 km southwest of Dunedin of which it is officially the southernmost border.The upper reaches of the Waipori...
– 4 Dams (12 MW, 57 MW, 7 MW, 8 MW) – Dunedin - MonowaiLake MonowaiLake Monowai is a large lake in the southern part of Fiordland National Park, in New Zealand's South Island, 120 kilometres northwest of Invercargill. At an altitude of 180 metres in a long curved valley, the lake appears on maps shaped like a letter "U". The western part of the lake is set in...
(6 MW) (34 GWh) - Roaring Meg – 2 power stations (1.3MW, 3MW) (30 GWh)
Auckland
- Cosseys Dam – Auckland
- Hays Creek Dam – Auckland
- Upper Huia Dam – Auckland
- Lower Huia Dam – Auckland
- Mangatangi Dam – Auckland
- Mangatawhiri Dam – Auckland
- Upper Nihotupu Dam – Auckland
- Lower Nihotupu DamLower Nihotupu ReservoirThe Lower Nihotupu Reservoir is one of five reservoirs in the Waitakere Ranges that supply water to Auckland. Built between 1945 and 1948,. the reservoir covers an area of 52.9 hectares and has a capacity of 4.6 million cubic metres...
– Auckland - Waitakere Dam and ReservoirWaitakere ReservoirWaitakere Reservoir is a reservoir near Waitakere, west of Auckland in New Zealand. Waitakere Dam was completed in 1910. It has a lake area of 25.1 hectares and a capacity of 1.76 million cubic metres....
– Auckland - Wairoa Dam – Auckland
Other North Island
- Clapcott Concrete Arch (Mangapoike or Gisborne No. 1) Dam - Gisborne
- Kaitoke Weir – Upper Hutt
- Macaskill Lakes – Upper Hutt
- Mangamahoe Dam - New Plymouth
- Okehu Stream/Waitahinga Dam (Rangitatau Weir) - Wanganui(Whanganui).
- Upper and Lower Turitea - Palmerston North
- Whau Valley Dam – Whangarei
- Wilsons Dam – Whangarei
South Island
- Waitohi (Barnes) Dam - Picton
- Opuha DamOpuha DamThe Opuha Dam is located on the Opuha River, a tributary of the Opihi River in South Canterbury, New Zealand. The dam is used for water storage for farming irrigation and provides 7.7 MW of electricity to New Zealand's national grid....
– CanterburyCanterbury, New ZealandThe New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
, also has small hydro-electric scheme (7.5 MW) - Ross Creek ReservoirRoss Creek ReservoirThe Ross Creek Reservoir is an artificial lake in Dunedin, New Zealand. One of the oldest artificial lakes in the country, and the oldest water supply reservoir still in use in the country, it was created in the 1860s to provide water for the city of Dunedin, at that time in the middle of rapid...
– DunedinDunedinDunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until... - Sullivan's Dam – Dunedin
Defunct dams
- Birchville DamBirchville DamBirchville Dam is believed to be the second unreinforced concrete arch dam built for water supply in New Zealand. It was built in 1930 for the Upper Hutt Borough Council to provide increased water capacity for the borough and replaced a water supply weir built in 1913-1914 at the same location on...
– Upper HuttUpper HuttUpper Hutt is a satellite city of Wellington. It is New Zealand's smallest city by population, the second largest by land area. It is in Greater Wellington.-Geography:Upper Hutt is 30 km north-east of Wellington... - Johnsonville Waterworks - Ohariu Valley
- Korokoro Dam
- Morton Dam - Wainuiomata
- Upper and Lower Karori Dams and the Karori Reservoirs – Wellington (now a nature reserveKarori Wildlife SanctuaryZealandia, formerly known as the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, is a protected natural area in Wellington, New Zealand, where the biodiversity of 225 ha of forest is being restored...
) - Teviot Dam - Roxburgh
- Waitohi Weir (1891) - Picton
- Williams Dam - Picton
Irrigation dams
- Lakes Manuwai and Waingaro at KerikeriKerikeriKerikeri, the largest town in the Northland Region of New Zealand, is a popular tourist destination about three hours drive north of Auckland, and 80 km north of Whangarei...
, purpose-built irrigation dams containing 12,800,000 m3 of water - Opuha DamOpuha DamThe Opuha Dam is located on the Opuha River, a tributary of the Opihi River in South Canterbury, New Zealand. The dam is used for water storage for farming irrigation and provides 7.7 MW of electricity to New Zealand's national grid....
See also
- Rivers of New ZealandRivers of New ZealandThe rivers of New Zealand are used for a variety of purposes and face a number of environmental issues. Many of the rivers in the South Island are braided rivers.-Statistics:...
- Lakes in New Zealand
- List of lakes in New Zealand
- List of power stations in New Zealand
External links
- Dams in the 1966 Encyclopaedia of New Zealand
- Conventional Hydroelectric Power Plants in New Zealand
- Trustpower Generation – November 2001 Report (PDF)
- Waikato Hydroelectric Scheme