The level of Lake Hawea has dropped to 339.24m above sea
level and is closing on the statutory allowable minimum of
338m asl, 10m below this photographed mark, despite weekend
rain. Photo by Matthew Haggart.
The Guardians of Lake Hawea are growing increasingly
concerned about the lake's low level, which they claim may soon
hit emergency status.
The hydroelectricity lake watchdogs are a statutory appointed
body and spokesman Grant Fyfe said the lake was approaching
the minimum permitted level of 338m above sea level (asl).
A reading from the Otago Regional Council water flow website
at 4pm yesterday recorded a level of 339.24m asl for Lake
Hawea.
Mr Fyfe said despite weekend rain, the guardians were
concerned about the amount of water being released downstream
by electricity generator Contact Energy.
"We don't want to see the lake getting down to emergency
levels," he said.
He estimated the lake held enough "draw-down" water to last
about 11 days and called for Contact to conserve the lake's
existing water level.
The level of Lake Hawea is controlled by Contact, which uses
the lake to store water for the downstream Clutha power
stations at Clyde and Roxburgh.
Contact Energy spokesman Jonathan Hill said recent rain made
a small impact on Lake Hawea and similar weather patterns
were likely to deliver more over the coming weeks.
The company was aware the lake was approaching the emergency
minimum level, but there were a lot of variables in terms of
"when, or if, that level might be reached", Mr Hill said.
A 2007 resource consent condition allowed Contact to access
2m of additional storage - between 338m and 336m - during
certain conditions, in the national interest, when the
electricity system required reserve capacity, Mr Hill said.
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