People in the areas affected by the proposed dams on the Clutha river should soon be able to "fly over" the various options and get a bird's-eye view of the dams and lakes.
Video clips of what the four proposed options would look like should be available in a week or two, Contact Energy hydro project manager Neil Gillespie told the Otago Conservation Board yesterday.
"Anyone will be able to fly through, see what areas will be affected and see the extent of possible inundation.
"That should encourage some more feedback," Mr Gillespie said.
At the board meeting in Cromwell, he outlined details of dams at Tuapeka, Queensberry, Luggate and Beaumont, which range in cost from $300 million through to $1.5 billion.
"We have no preferred option yet, but will identify one or more as a preferred option early next year and then start consulting with the communities.
"At the moment, we've just been having informal conversations with them."
The board took no formal stance on the proposals, although several members said the Tuapeka dam should be ruled out.
Board member Jim Williams said: "Most things can be mitigated but you can't mitigate the effect on Birch Island. That blows the Tuapeka option."
Mr Gillespie said every community had reasons why the proposed dam for their area should be rejected.
"We don't take that lightly but, equally, it would be wrong of us to say an option was too hard, so we're looking at how to mitigate the effects," he said.
Member Abby Smith asked whether "ugly giant pylons" that spoiled landscapes were the only way power from the dams could be transmitted.
Mr Gillespie said it was possible to place cables underground, but the cost was prohibitive.
