Recreational releases and flushing flows

Genesis Energy’s resource consents for the Tongariro Power Scheme require recreational flow releases from Rangipo Dam, Poutu Intake and Whakapapa Intake, as well as flushing flow releases from Moawhango Dam.

Assess the conditions for yourself before entering the river, and please ensure anyone using the river is aware of these flow changes.

Moawhango Dam flushing flow releases

Flows of 30 cubic metres per second for 9 hours are released from Moawhango Dam as required by Genesis Energy’s resource consents for the Tongariro Power Scheme. The purpose of the flows is to improve the ecology of the river. As the Moawhango River flows into the Rangitikei River, the flushing flows result in an increased flow in both rivers. Consequently high flows will be experienced on both these rivers on the following dates:

• Wednesday 7th December 2011
• Thursday 26th January 2012
• Wednesday 22nd February 2012
• Thursday 15th March 2012

Rangipo Dam recreational releases

Flows of 30 cubic metres per second for 8 hours will be released from Rangipo Dam between 8am and 4pm on the following dates:

• Sunday 8th January 2012
• Sunday 5th February 2012
• Sunday 16th September 2012

Tongariro River below Poutu Intake recreational releases

Flows of 30 cubic metres per second for 6 hours will be released from Poutu Intake into the Tongariro River between 9am and 3pm on the following dates:

• Saturday 4th February 2012
• Saturday 15th September 2012

Whakapapa River below Whakapapa Intake recreational releases

The natural flow of the Whakapapa River will be released downstream of the Whakapapa Intake for 8 hours between 9am and 5pm on the following dates:

• Saturday 1st September 2012
• Saturday 22nd September 2012

Note:
1. Recreational releases from Whakapapa Intake require a minimum flow of 16 cumecs in the Whakapapa River. If the 16 cumec natural flow is not met on the Saturday, then it is deferred to the following day. If there is still insufficient flow, then the event is cancelled.
2. Please check the NZRCA website http://rivers.org.nz/events for details on the release. Updates on the likelihood of the release are posted 24 hours prior to the event and the final decision is made on the morning of the release.