The only drawback is the hydroelectric power station which is a blot on the landscape but the advantages far. Coleridge power station first nz power station acheron. At trustpower, we monitor and report water levels, ensuring the remaining storage capacity is available. Luckily, there was a professional photograph taken at the time and this is shown on the history page. Electricity generated here was important for christchurch industry. The lodge was built in 1934 to accommodate staff working at the nearby lake coleridge power station, new zealands first statebuilt hydroelectric station. Lake coleridge power station canterbury region te ara. Water could be led directly down to the powerhouse, creating a high head the distance water falls to the turbines.
Staggering into the lodge it was quite a contrast to experience the luxury of the lodge. Glenthorne station is a 62,352 acre high country sheep and cattle station nestled on the shores of lake coleridge, by the spectacular southern alps. After the lake coleridge supply reached akaroa in 1923, the station was used only at peak times to supplement the reasonably tenuous supply. If you visit lake coleridge village you will find more information about the power station and the areas history on a display outside the power station. Marvel at the alpine views, soak up the peace and tranquility and experience high country life. Some rivers are diverted here to keep the lake topped up for its important job of creating renewable energy from its hydro power station. May 10, 2016 lake coleridge village in two camps over freedom trampers and their excrement. Horizontal turbine bth at lake coleridge power station panoramio. The power station provides a valuable contribution to the local electricity network. Waitaki dam 1934 power to the people work began on the waitaki dam, the first large state hydroelectric scheme in the south island since lake coleridge, in. Highbank power station montalto power station south. The lake is located to the north of the rakaia river, and is the site of one of the countrys earliest hydroelectric schemes, completed in 1914 and built mainly to supply power to christchurch. People seemed to be relaxed and chirpy just to be there.
The proprietors are very knowledgeable about the areas history and ensured a fantastic stay. Fanghill hut up wilberforce river sleeps 6 basic hut with fire. From christchurch, head towards darfield or hororata until you meet up with coleridge road. If you have an upcoming booking to change or cancel, check the next steps and policies here. Control centre in tauranga and the maintenance support is based at lake coleridge. Lake coleridge, the first large power station built by the state, was constructed between 1911 and 1914. Highbankmontalto hydroelectric power scheme is located in canterbury, in the south island of new zealand. Coleridge hydroelectric power station was the new zealand governments first major generation. Lake coleridge station canterbury region white pages nz. We visited the lake in november, the lake reflects the blue sky and green grass, all colors are so vivid. Lake coleridge lodge offers accommodation in a historic building that was built for staff working on the governments first hydroelectric power station. Work began on the waitaki dam, the first large state hydroelectric scheme in the south island since lake coleridge, in mid1928 at a site 7.
Welcome to the historical walkway lake coleridge lodge. Media in category canterbury region the following 200 files are in this category, out of 343 total. Lake coleridge was ideal for the new zealand governments first hydroelectric power station because of its geography and its location near the growing city of christchurch. Lake poet, any of the english poets william wordsworth, samuel taylor coleridge, and robert southey, who lived in the english lake district of cumberland and westmorland now cumbria at the beginning of the 19th century. It takes a while to get to the lake, and possibly down the gravel path, but it is worth the effort. It is also the oldest currently generating, the first gove. Nov 01, 2015 we stayed at lake coleridge lodge after a three day segment of the te araroa trail. A short history of electricity supply and management in new zealand. At its peak at 1240 m, it offers a stunning overview of the lake and surrounding area on a fine day. From the beginning the emphasis was on schemes giving cheap power through economies of scale.
The village is on the banks of the rakaia river alongside the historic lake coleridge power station, 165m below lake coleridge. Videos about the lake coleridge regions history historical videos about the lake coleridge region produced as part of centenary celebrations for the lake coleridge power station in 2014. A short history of electricity supply and management in. Over a number of decades he planted the area with many of the worlds conifers pine trees. Water could be led directly down to the powerhouse, creating a high head the distance water falls to the. Work has recently been comenced on the first of the hydroelectric power schemes of the new zealand government, to be put in hand under the water power act of 1903. Book lake coleridge lodge, darfield on tripadvisor. The lodge also holds historical records and has many photos on display. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the unit you book. Phone numbers and address information for lake coleridge station. Nov 05, 20 video of the lake coleridge fishing competition weekend 2nd3rd november 20. As of 2012, the station generates 39 megawatts 52,000 hp of electricity, and annual generation averages 270 gigawatthours 970 tj, following redesign of the station. Paradise lost the story of lake coleridge kapcha the world. Rakaia river salmon fishing provided the sea and river are clear, salmon anglers fish the surf at low tide and then move back up to fish the gut and lower braids as the tide comes in.
This 216 page, a4 size book contains numerous black and white and colour photographs. It is the 100th anniversary of the opening of the power station. A great room, great meal, and with some fine nz wines on their wine list. New zealand electricity information pamphlet 18787a73 a 1 sheet, printed into 4 pages hydroelectric power new zealand lake coleridge canterbury lakes. Lake coleridge power station by government printer, wellington, new zealand 1973. Longtime trustpower staff member ian lees talks about building the lake coleridge power station in the early 20th century. It tells of the swift rivers which rush by and are diverted into it, the hills and mountains around it, and the animal and plant life in. Lake coleridge power station was the first of the state hydro electricity schemes that came to play an important part in new zealands indigenous energy supply. Trustpower are also offering free rides to the harper and wilberforce diversions. Located in lake coleridge, lake coleridge lodge is in a rural location. Lake coleridge power station inlet whirlpool duration.
Lake coleridge is a popular recreational fishery, and were committed to the. Find unique places to stay with local hosts in 191 countries. There is a memorial dinner at methven on the saturday 6th. You can look through the photos and read stories left by past residents during your stay. The lake coleridge story traces the life of a cold, clean and very deep lake in the foothills of the southern alps, some 100km from christchurch. Directors lake opuha tourism photo gallery opuha book a dream fulfilled. The electricity generated from the power station is sold under a power purchase agreement currently with pulse energy. They were first described derogatorily as the lake school by francis. Coleridge new zealand electorate coleridge is a former parliamentary electorate in the canterbury region of new zealand.
The station is monitored and operated from their control centre in tauranga and the maintenance support is based at lake coleridge approximately 60km north west of methven and 170km from lake opuha. In 1911, construction began on a bare, open, tussockcovered terrace exposed to the full force of the norwester. It is owned and operated by mercury energy, and is the seventh and penultimate hydroelectric power station on the waikato river. It harnessed water from the harper, acheron and wilberforce rivers. Irrigation takes priority in summer, so generation volumes vary. Coleridge power station first nz power station acheron river. A plaque was unveiled to mark the significance of this power station as part of the development of the nation. Lake coleridge lodge, history lake coleridge lodge. In fact, the club has its own premises in a building that has a history of its own and traces its heritage to when the nearby power station was in its infancy.
Akaroa hydro electric generator electrifying akaroa. Lake coleridge power station hydroelectricity te ara. Canterbury acclimatisation society minute book 1864 26352472916. The coleridge power station is a hydroelectric facility at lake coleridge on the rakaia river in canterbury, new zealand. We followed the shingle road past lake georgia, lake evelyn and lake selfe, and eventually made it to the head of lake coleridge. The dawns warm and breezy but cloudy, today we go up to lake coleridge, sealed road to the village, makes a change from the gravel road and dust. The project makes use of the difference in altitude between the lake and river the lake is 150 metres higher. Smiths bookshop, new zealand books, nz books online, new books online, books. It provided christchurchs total power needs in the early 20th century. Lake coleridge village in two camps over freedom trampers and their excrement. History of lake coleridge area, canterbury new zealand.
He died before it was finished, but his biographia literaria is a fine substitute for a magnum opus. Coleridge lake level when there has been a long spell of dry weather, and water storage for hydroelectric schemes is low, its important to have timely reporting on lake levels. Lake coleridge village in two camps over freedom trampers. An excellent illustrated local history of the people who have lived and worked at the lake coleridge power station, the village and the surrounding farmland. A story goes of a lake coleridge schoolboy saying he had seen the monster many times and when pressed for details he said it was his teacher. This entailed a long walk down the harper river and then harper river road. Coleridge hydroelectric power station was the new zealand government s first major generation scheme, commissioned in 1914. Intergenerational stories from current and former owners, managers and staff of the large farm stations in the district, including mt algidus, glenthorne, lake coleridge, high peak, snowdon and the point, along with the 20 properties that were split from them. The lodge is surrounded by beautiful mature trees and gardens, and is set across the road from the large pipes feeding the power station from lake coleridge. Just one hours drive from christchurch, you travel inland up the rakaia river valley to find the village on the eastern fringes of the southern alps.
Glenthorne glenthorne station canterbury new zealand. Coleridge and the power of love barth, john robert on. Contents 1 population centres 2 history 3 members of parliament wikipedia. The hart arboretum in lake coleridge village was created by harry hart, superintendent at the lake coleridge power station from 1923 to 1953. The building of the lake coleridge power station provides a prime illustration of the effect of the shelter belts. Come and visit the lake coleridge village on dec 67th. Bridget williams books ltd and electricity corporation of new zealand. Lake coleridge lodge was originally built in 1934 for workers at the nearby historic lake coleridge power station. Lake coleridge high country lake coleridge high country. The power station is owned and operated by trustpower. The lake is 1,667 ft above sea level, and about 450 ft above the rakaia valley 2 miles to the south. You have to keep an eye out for sweeper waves coming over the spit.
Official website for all activities and accommodation in the lake coleridge high country, just one hour inland from christchurch city in canterbury, new zealand. Lake coleridge power station engineering new zealand. Lake coleridge lodge lake coleridge motorcycle hire. Arapuni power station wikimili, the free encyclopedia.
Books about the lake coleridge area lake coleridge high. Monas book a river rules my life 1963 is a new zealand classic. Lake coleridge and rakaia walks lake coleridge was built around new zealands first stateowned hydroelectric power station, which was constructed between 1911 and 1914. Arapuni power station is a hydroelectric power station on the waikato river, in the north island of new zealand.
Along with the engineering heritage register, we have a library of other interesting heritage items in our engineering heritage record. Lake coleridge area and the lodge is steeped in history. Advantage was taken of this difference of level in designing the first major hydroelectric power scheme in new zealand which began operation in 1915. This document outlines the history of electricity supply and management in new zealand. It tells of the swift rivers which rush by and are diverted into it, the hills and mountains around it, and the animal and plant life in and around the lake. External views of the facilities can be seen from hummocks road.
My father worked here on the hydro power station in the 80s and lived in the small houses here. Read more about this stations history, capacity and output. The power, the people, the land, christchurch, 2000. Lake coleridge power station the new zealand governments first major involvement in electric power supply was at lake coleridge on the rakaia river. Great savings on hotels in lake coleridge, new zealand online. Discover the history of the area with a great range of tracks from easy walks to longer day hikes. In 2008, for example, we completed a major project that delivered 12% efficiency gains for the power stations g8 and g9 turbines. New zealands first major hydroelectric power station was opened at lake coleridge in 1914. History of lake coleridge area, canterbury new zealand lake. Search the history of over 418 billion web pages on the internet. Little known is that tiny lake coleridge village has its very own billiards club.
Lake coleridge village in canterburys high country is 362m above sea. The lake coleridge region is a picturesque high country area offering a range of. The lake was named by the chief surveyor of the canterbury association, joseph thomas, on a sketch map prepared in early 1849. We also have other huts available on glenthorne property, these include. Coleridge power station coleridge power station wikipedia. One day we were walking along the tops of the cliffs at the bottom end of the lake, east of the intake to the power station, when we saw a huge fish below but we didnt reckon it was the monster but probably a sea run salmon that had got into the top. The graph below gives an indication of the historical variability. Go through lake coleridge village then turn west onto algidus road.
New zealand has a rich engineering and industrial heritage worth appreciating and celebrating. The lodge is located in the beautiful lake coleridge high country. Such enhancements have boosted coleridge power stations capacity to 39 mw and its average annual output to 270 gwh. Lake coleridge power station 9 generators producing 35 mw. Both the harper and wilberforce rivers have had some of their flow diverted into the lake, with up to 100% of the harpers flow diverted for the lake coleridge power station.
Tree trail in lake coleridge village lake coleridge high. Work began on the waitaki dam, the first large state hydroelectric scheme in the south island since lake coleridge, in mid1928 at a site 7 km from the kurow railhead. Lake coleridge village in two camps over freedom trampers and. The new zealand governments first major involvement in electric power supply was at lake coleridge on the rakaia river. Where the channel meets the lake is beautiful but windy, take care if you have small children with you. Samuel taylor coleridge, biographia literaria coleridge spent years working on a gargantuan book of philosophy that he believed would be his masterpiece. The people, the power, the politics, rosemary britten describes the conditions thus.
Peak hill is a prominent hill on the shores of lake coleridge, canterbury. Coleridge, lake 1966 encyclopaedia of new zealand te ara. There are many walks of various lengths in the quiet village and environs. The lodge library holds historical records about life in lake coleridge village from when the power station was being built 19111914 through to more recent times. The scheme draws from the rangitata river via a 66 kilometre irrigation race that also waters farms when its dry. Traction engines, vintage cars, clydesdales, historical exhibits, power station open. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more. The coleridge power station is a hydroelectric facility at lake coleridge on the rakaia river in. As of 2012, the station generates 39 megawatts 52,000 hp of electricity, and annual generation averages 270 gigawatthours 970 tj, following redesign of the station s turbines using computational fluid dynamic modelling. Here an angler has hooked a salmon in the fastflowing gut.
Lake coleridge lodge canterbury lodge accommodation. This item has been provided for private study purposes such as school projects, family and local history research and any published reproduction print or. The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. Peak hill is located beside lake coleridge, which is 90 minutes drive west of christchurch. When the lake coleridge power station was built 19111914, the village grew into a.
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