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Lake Benmore
Benmore Dam
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Benmore Dam, four kilometres
north of Otematata, is one of the biggest earth dams in the Southern
Hemisphere and holds back the biggest artificial lake in New Zealand - Lake
Benmore. The dam has an output of 540 MW and is the site of the HVDC link
for electricity transfer between the South and North Islands.
The vast earth dam, spectacular spillway and guided tours of the power
station are the chief attractions for casual sightseers. For those with more
time to spend, there is a walking track above the dam that leads to a ridge
with an excellent view of the Alps or, for those that prefer activities
nearer the water, there are many sheltered campsites near Loch Laird below
the dam. |
Aviemore Dam
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Aviemore Dam, commenced in 1962
and commissioned in 1968, has a power output of 220 MW. The 29 square
kilometre Lake Aviemore is very popular in summer for fishing, water skiing
and yachting - some say, the best of any South Island lake. Rugged beauty
and good fly fishing can be found at Deep Stream, a tributary on the
northeast side of the lake. Below the dam, a spawning race one kilometre in
length and capable of holding 3,000 adult trout has been provided to
maintain the trout fishery of Lake Waitaki.
Near the top of Lake Aviemore on SH83 is an outcrop known as Parson's Rock.
It was from here Parson John Chapman Andrew, the area's first European
settler, took church services. Parson Andrew's chief occupation, however,
was the farming of the Otematata run from 1856. |
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