Publication
| Title: | Wonderful Water Walks : A history of water supply dams in the Wellington Region |
| Document: | Wonderful Water Walks : A history of water supply dams in the Wellington Region (PDF, 2097 KB) |
| Date published: | 1 November 2001 |
| WRC Publication No: | WRC/PFSM-G-01/57 |
| Abstract: | Part of the Wellington Regional Council's Regional Outdoors programme
this four page leaflet gives a brief history of the Wellington Region's water supply dams. Dams have played a central role in the development of water supply in the Wellington area. The Regional Council’s bulk supply system encompasses three water sources and modern treatment plants, a network of pipelines and enclosed reservoirs, to ensure the supply needs of each city are met. Only one of the dams is now part of the regional water supply system, the others have been retired for various reasons. The leaflet covers: Karori Water Supply Scheme : Wellington’s first public water supply dam was completed in 1874. It was hailed as a long-term solution to the city’s water problems. Just four years later however, there were severe water shortages in the city. Wainuiomata / Orongorongo Water Supply Scheme : In 1878 the Wainuiomata Valley, 27 km from Wellington, was chosen and land was purchased to secure the catchment area. The Hutt River Scheme : The Hutt River was recommended for a water supply in 1929, but development was delayed in favour of cheaper artesian sources beneath the Hutt Valley. An eight metre high weir was built on the river at Kaitoke in 1954. The Korokoro Dam : Completed in 1903 and, as far as is known, New Zealand’s first concrete gravity dam. The water supply from the dam was discontinued in 1962 but the dam remains as a focal point in the Belmont Regional Park. The Birchville Dam : The second arch dam built in NZ. It was made of unreinforced concrete and was built in 1930 for water supply to Upper Hutt City. |
How to get a copy
The Regional Council Centre, 142 Wakefield Street, Wellington