Electricity Ashburton / Barhill Chertsey Irrigation proposed a run-of-river scheme where water from the Rakaia River would enter a river intake structure on the true right bank approximately 5km downstream from the Rakaia Gorge. The water would then flow into a diversion race, and into a settling pond via a second structure limiting inflows to a maximum of 17m3/s. The water would then be conveyed downstream in a canal on the river terrace on the true right bank of the Rakaia River, passing through two drop structures along the way. The water would then be discharged into the existing Highbank Power Station tailrace where it would enter a 9km long canal. The canal rises against the river terrace, eventually cutting through the top to become a cutting in the plains, before dropping down into the river again via pen stocks and a 20m high power station.

Client // Ashburton Community Water Trust
Location // Rakaia River, Canterbury
Date // 2007