Feature on Lake Tekapo
White Water kayaking course
Several times a year the power of the water stored
behind the Tekapo dam is released for the sole purpose of recreation. For
in the normally dry head waters of the Tekapo River, only a short distance
behind the village, lies the Tekapo White Water Kayaking Course.
Built in association with the then Electricity
Corporation of New Zealand, the Tekapo White Water course provides the
adventure seekers with thrills and excitement many travel the world to
experience.
As Lake Tekapo is a
hydro storage lake, the Tekapo River is normally bypassed, with water
exiting the Lake Tekapo via the Tekapo-A power station
and flowing down a series of hydro canals and hydro dams of Meridian
Energy's Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme to the sea.
Several times a
year, by prior arrangement, the Tekapo dam under State Highway 8 is opened
to allow water to flow down both the Tekapo River and the Tekapo White
Water Course.
Unlike many
stretches of white water, the dam is used to control the flow of water
down the river and gates at the entrance to the white water course, the
percentage of water drawn off the river.
Events run on the course may vary in their difficulty throughout the day
as the flow of water is increased in stages using the dam.
For the white water
course to operate, the upper section of the Tekapo River, above the
Tekapo-A power station also flows, attracting
those wishing to experience a natural river with Lake George Scott at the
end to allow safe exiting of the river.
The Tekapo White
Water course is operated by the Tekapo White Water Trust, a group of
enthusiastic volunteers based throughout the country.
See our
events page for scheduled operations of the White
Water Course.
See our
hydro page for more information on the Tekapo-A
power station.
Pack a picnic lunch
and head for Tekapo during a scheduled flow to experience fun and
excitement in the Mackenzie.
View our
Feature Archive for past features on
Lake Tekapo
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