The group behind the Manuherikia irrigation scheme hopes to nail down a preferred option late this year after a delay in gauging the interest of potential irrigators.
Manuherikia Catchment Water Strategy Group chairman Allan Kane said information packets would be sent out regarding the Manuherikia and Ida Valley project in about three weeks.
It had been planned to send out the information in April, but it was delayed because the group needed more time to go over the numbers, he said.
Potential irrigators will have a few months to decide whether to declare an interest in the scheme, and this will determine which form it will take.
The $80million high dam option at Falls Dam near St Bathans is down from previous estimates of $146million.
It could irrigate 25,000ha of land.
Other options are a medium dam ($68million) and low dam ($28million).
The distribution cost would be about $100million.
"Late this year we will know which choice we will take,'' Mr Kane said.
"They are more expensive than we would like, but they will provide environmental benefits and security of supply to new and current farmers.''
The water group was created in 2011 to represent the interests of six irrigation companies, private irrigators and community interest groups in the Manuherikia and Ida Valleys.
