Hydro canal leak closes scenic road

A GROWING leak in the Pukaki hydro canal has led to the scenic road from the Tekapo A power station to State Highway 8 at Irishman Creek Station being closed.

There was no risk to people or property from the leak, 18km from the Tekapo A power station, Meridian Energy spokesman Alan Seay said.

Since the canal was built there had been seepage at the site, which is near where a culvert goes under the canal, he said.

"But we have noticed that things have deteriorated a bit now and about a month ago we started having a closer look with a view to making a plan to repair."

It had been decided in the past week to bring plans forward and start repairs immediately.

Work was being done to place material to reduce the water loss.

Mr Seay said it was the loss of water, rather than where it was going to, that was the problem for Meridian.

Further work could be needed to buttress, or strengthen, the canal, he said.

Mr Seay did not have specific details of the work involved but said it was a large project which would cost millions of dollars.

The use of stone-filled, wire gabion baskets was an option to strengthen the walls.

It is expected the repairs can be carried out with no interruption to power generation and the canal will be lowered only slightly to do the work.

"We are confident we will get a fix," Mr Seay said.

"What it shows is the benefits of monitoring and we have swung into action to pick it up."

- © Fairfax NZ News