The Opuha DamThe Opuha Dam

What Next ?What Next ?

Opuha Dam ProjectOpuha Dam Project

• Where did Opuha Dam originate from ?Where did Opuha Dam originate from ?– Opuha site selectedOpuha site selected– ECNZ withdrew in favour of Alpine EnergyECNZ withdrew in favour of Alpine Energy– Agreement to construct entered into in 1995Agreement to construct entered into in 1995– Construction started late 1995Construction started late 1995– Dam breach occurred February 1997Dam breach occurred February 1997– Dam commissioned November 1998Dam commissioned November 1998– April 2007 Opuha Water Partnership. Alpine April 2007 Opuha Water Partnership. Alpine

Energy bought out creating 100% irrigator Energy bought out creating 100% irrigator ownership.ownership.

Opuha Water PartnershipOpuha Water Partnership

SCFIS Ltd12,800 haSCFIS Ltd12,800 ha

LPIC Ltd3,200haLPIC Ltd3,200ha

The Opuha Dam:The Opuha Dam:

“Strong relationships between Local Iwi, Fish & Game, D.O.C., District Councils, ECAN and Irrigators”

Opuha DamOpuha Dam

Priority of Water Releases 370 – 391.2mPriority of Water Releases 370 – 391.2m– 11stst Environmental FlowEnvironmental Flow– 22ndnd Domestic Use and Stock waterDomestic Use and Stock water– 33rdrd IrrigationIrrigation– 44thth Electricity Generation Electricity Generation

Above 391.2m Generation DiscretionAbove 391.2m Generation Discretion GeneratorGenerator

– Capacity 7 mega watts driven by 15 cumecCapacity 7 mega watts driven by 15 cumec– Maximum Generation MonthMaximum Generation Month 360k360k– Minimum Generation 0 Minimum Generation 0

In an average year the generator will operate for In an average year the generator will operate for 55% of the time55% of the time

Dam is operated by Contact Energy at Clyde – Dam is operated by Contact Energy at Clyde – manned 24/7manned 24/7

Opuha DamOpuha Dam

50m High 330 metres long50m High 330 metres long Maximum operating level 392.2m above sea levelMaximum operating level 392.2m above sea level Command area, 16000ha with 92% reliabilityCommand area, 16000ha with 92% reliability Storage is 91 million cubic metresStorage is 91 million cubic metres Lake at 392.2m is 710 HectaresLake at 392.2m is 710 Hectares Minimum Operating Level 370mMinimum Operating Level 370m It is expected that one year in 20 the lake will It is expected that one year in 20 the lake will

lower to 370mlower to 370m 50% of Water in storage is for Environment and 50% of Water in storage is for Environment and

50% is for Irrigation.50% is for Irrigation.

Managing OpuhaManaging OpuhaDaily Management Inspection ObservationDaily Management Inspection Observation

• Dam Safety – 24 hoursDam Safety – 24 hours

• Flow Releases – 24 hoursFlow Releases – 24 hours

• Environmental Monitoring – 24 hoursEnvironmental Monitoring – 24 hours

• Irrigation Output – Water orders dailyIrrigation Output – Water orders daily

• Lake Levels – Low and High as Lake Levels – Low and High as requiredrequired

• The Future ?The Future ?

Irrigation in South Irrigation in South CanterburyCanterbury

Annual Compliance / Annual Compliance / Management Management

• AdministrationAdministration $120k$120k

• Monitoring ChargesMonitoring Charges $ 56k$ 56k

• Telemetry ChargesTelemetry Charges $ 42k$ 42k

• Site InspectionSite Inspection $ 45k$ 45k

• Safety ManagementSafety Management $100k$100k

• River ManagementRiver Management $160k$160k

$523K$523K

Audited Self ManagementAudited Self Management

• Opportunity to Integrate Management with Opportunity to Integrate Management with Individual ComplianceIndividual Compliance

• What are the Hurdles?What are the Hurdles?– Trust – Community, individuals, NGO’s, EcanTrust – Community, individuals, NGO’s, Ecan– Knowledge – Not all have the ability to stand alone and Knowledge – Not all have the ability to stand alone and

manage.manage.– OWP has an infrastructure to manage so can do more.OWP has an infrastructure to manage so can do more.– OWP is interested in taking cost out and improving OWP is interested in taking cost out and improving

performanceperformance– Ecan are interested in allowing autonomy?Ecan are interested in allowing autonomy?– What are the instruments required to give OWP What are the instruments required to give OWP

authority to manage?authority to manage?

What Does Integrated Consent What Does Integrated Consent Management look like?Management look like?• There will need to be new arrangements There will need to be new arrangements

supported in a new waysupported in a new way• Communities need to be happy and involvedCommunities need to be happy and involved• Communities need to trust and influenceCommunities need to trust and influence• Regional Authority needs to trustRegional Authority needs to trust• Institutional arrangementsInstitutional arrangements• Based around consent conditions that point to a Based around consent conditions that point to a

civil contract eg. OWP affiliationcivil contract eg. OWP affiliation• How do you involve the community in the How do you involve the community in the

contract?contract?• What rules do you have?What rules do you have?• What behavioural tools do you get to use? What behavioural tools do you get to use?

Community Benefits from Community Benefits from Audited Self ManagementAudited Self Management

• A better understanding of the A better understanding of the resources.resources.

• More accountability within users.More accountability within users.• More flexibility to manage local More flexibility to manage local

resources to achieve community & resources to achieve community & national outcomes.national outcomes.

• Cost-effective management that Cost-effective management that encourages strong cohesive, encourages strong cohesive, sustainable communities.sustainable communities.

Next StepsThe System

Opuha Audit of Hydrology:

• Look at all contributing in flows

• Re Survey the lake for volume

• Increase accuracy of measurement in river

• Better control dam releases – river telemetry

• Investigate flushing techniques -Didymo

Next StepsOur Community

•Formalise the process – loose group at present.

• Jointly employ facilitator with ECAN.

•Expand discussion around institutional arrangements

•Put arrangements in place.

•Timeframe? 2 -3 years.

The Opuha DamThe Opuha Dam

Self ManagementSelf Management

““The End of the Beginning”The End of the Beginning”Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill