Stage one of the project to repair a 5km stretch of the 26.5km-long canal, which links the Tekapo A and B power houses owned by Genesis Energy, finished in April, and Genesis public affairs manager Richard Gordon said the second phase to repair another 2km section would begin on January 14.
''The site will be reactivated in December. The second phase will involve dewatering and lining the section locally known as the Maryburn Fill, and seismic upgrade work to a farm bridge crossing the canal.
''Following this canal work, the site will be tidied up.''
He said work should take about 14 weeks to complete, depending on weather conditions.
Although Mt Cook Alpine Salmon had to move its fish from the canal to another site before the first stage work started, repairs had been carried out in close co-operation with the salmon fishery, Mr Gordon said.
''Our South Island-based environmental manager has been in regular contact with Mt Cook Alpine Salmon before and during the canal closures. They are fully aware of our schedule of works and have adjusted their operations to accommodate the canal closure next January.''
