Shag River dam investigation grant

A grant has been made towards an investigation into the possibility of putting a dam on the Shag River inland from Dunback to supply potable water and irrigation to the Dunback and Shag River district.

The Waihemo Community Board, at its recent meeting in Palmerston, granted $1000 to the Waihemo Water Catchment Committee.

Pledges of money for the investigation were also being made by members of the Waihemo Water Catchment Society, society chairman Don McLenaghen told the meeting.

The Pineside site at MacDonalds Rd on the Shag River above Dunback is being investigated as a possible location.

Engineering reports on this site were undertaken for the Waitaki District council between 2002-06, Mr McLenaghen said.

The site is being investigated with the intention of moving the dam 500m-600m downstream.

Engineering firm Tonkin and Taylor was preparing a scope plan of a roller-compacted concrete dam, Mr McLenaghen said.

This would be the most suitable construction given the nature of the Shag River.

This dam would also provide a further 15ha of holding space in the lake. An intensive advertising campaign would be needed to contact residents and landowners throughout the district to determine support for the water scheme, which would include irrigation, Mr McLenaghen said.

David Hamilton and Delta were now costing methods of getting the reticulation of water to landowners to the north and south of the Shag River and down to the coastal areas of the district, Mr McLenaghen said.