Save the Hurunui

The Hurunui Water Project (HWP) plans to build a 75-metre high dam in the south branch of the Hurunui River, creating a 7km-long lake, with about 525ha of the Hurunui's pristine south branch being inundated. This will effectively privatise a wild river that is a public resource and using the water to carry out a huge dairy conversion in Canterbury.

Current action	Feb 2010: Fish & Game are appealing the decision by the Special Tribunal to omit the South Branch from the Water Conservation Order.
Contacts	The following information is provided by Hurunui Dam Busters and North Canterbury Fish & Game. Dambusters: For further information or offers to help, contact: Murray Rodgers: murrayrodgers@xtra.co.nz Chris Todd: c.todd@forestandbird.org.nz John Sanders: j.b.sanders@xtra.co.nz North Canterbury Fish & Game Email: northcanterbury@fishandgame.org.nz Phone: 03 366 9191
Why the Hurunui is so special	The Hurunui is Canterbury’s sixth largest river by volume. Lake Sumner and seven smaller lakes formed by retreating glaciers are considered icons of the South Island high country. As well as being one of Canterbury’s most loved rivers, it is also home to some of our most endangered species, such as our black fronted tern. Fifty-eight bird species have been identified in the catchment, including 17 threatened species. It is an example of one of the most diverse river catchments in Canterbury, ranging from bush-fringed lakes, steep, rocky headwaters and gorges to braided shingle riverbeds, and supports an equally diverse range of habitats and native biodiversity. It is one of the most popular rivers in New Zealand for fishing, white-water rafting and kayaking. Read more about the importance of this wild and untamed river
The proposal by the Hurunui Water project (HWP)	The Hurunui Water Project (HWP) proposes to build two dams which would raise Lake Sumner's level by up to 3.2m with an extra 138 million cubic metres of water stored for irrigation. Up to 32 cubic metres per second of water will be diverted from the Hurunui River into an intake and canal system for irrigation and hydro-power generation. The HWP state that "the recent announcement that a Water Conservation Order has been rejected for the South Branch of the Hurunui River has paved the way for the Project to proceed". They continue, "While a vast amount of water flows through the Hurunui River and out to sea each year, only a small proportion is used for development purposes at the moment".
The counter argument	Despite the rejection of the South Branch of the Hurunui being denied a conservation order, it is not acceptable that this unique environment should be destroyed for the benefit of the farming community. Many others depend upon this waterway for their income: guides, kayak opporations and rafters as well as accommodation in the area required wilderness rivers. To see a number of other arguments against the building of this dam see the information page on Dam Busters.
How big is the dam?	To see how much of the land will be affected by these dams look at this map. The picture below also shows how high the dams will be and the amount of land that will be lost.
The yellow represents the actual height of the dam according to details from HWP and measured by an independent engineering survey. The red shows the height according to HWP publications.
The long term problem	The area will be transformed from a nationally significant, pristine, backcountry resource to an 'irrigation scheme' with roadways and infrastructure that will sour the natural heritage of the park forever. The lake will fill for up to 7km and rise and fall approx 60 meters constantly exposing weedbeds and creating major run-off, silt & dust storms. It will also be a highly unsuitable environment for sustainable fish stocks and will have massive implications to the wildlife. It will also have a hugely detrimental effect on fishing, kayaking and other recreational activities such as tramping and birdwatching.
What others are saying	Many groups from environmental groups to those who value the Hurunui for recreational usage are outraged about the proposal to build this dam. The Christchurch Press wrote that the project could cause an "ecological bomb" and say that the project is "outrageous" Forest and Bird warn that the dams are a threat to "fifty-eight bird species that have been identified in the catchment, including 17 threatened species" The Water Rights Trust warns that we are at risk in locking the region into economically unsustainable water schemes. Other news items and views can be read on our page on the Hurunui Water Project
The implications	The implications are that we will lose one of the last wild rivers," Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said the project. It "will effectively privatise what is a public resource, which is a wild river, and using the water to carry out a huge dairy conversion in Canterbury". Dairying now occupies 9 per cent of HWP's irrigable area, but 45 per cent of the land is expected to convert to dairy if the irrigation plan is approved.
What has happened so far	Read a number of submissions that were made by those who are opposed to this scheme. Although submissions have now closed it is not too late to make your feelings felt about this potential destruction of an area of immense beauty and importance to many New Zealands and visaitors from around the world. A public demonstration expressing concern was held at the Bridge of Remembrance on Cashel St, Christchurch on 16 October 2009. Marchers concerned about the destruction of this wild river and the associated land and lakes marched alongside the Avon to Victoria Square to help convey to the authorities around Canterbury and in Wellington the importance of this issue to all the people of New Zealand.
Drift dive survey Feb 2010	Fish & Game carried out drift dives in the Hurunui catchment last week as part of a regular monitoring programme to record to the size and abundance of trout in the rivers. The information will be used to reinforce their argument for protecting the South and North branches of the Hurunui River in a Water Conservation Order. Fish & Game Officer Tony Hawker said the number of large fish in the South Branch show it supports a ‘trophy’ fishery. Fish & Game are appealing the decision by the Special Tribunal to omit the South Branch from the Water Conservation Order because they think the river is ‘outstanding’ and warranting protection. Toony Hawker drift diving the South Branch of the Hurunui Drift diving involves snorkelers floating down the river in a line counting fish as they go. The fish are recorded in three size classes. “The drift diving is definitely one of the highlights of the year,” says Hawker, “Although you can end up with the odd bruise. You’ve got to keep you arms out in front of you, and when you get to a rapid - just put you head down and hope for the best.”