Upper Nihotupu Reservoir

Upper Nihotupu Reservoir

Upper Nihotupu Dam
Location Auckland, North Island
Coordinates 36°57′00″S 174°33′50″E / 36.95°S 174.5638°E / -36.95; 174.5638Coordinates: 36°57′00″S 174°33′50″E / 36.95°S 174.5638°E / -36.95; 174.5638
Type Reservoir
Basin countries New Zealand
Surface area 12.5 ha[1]
Water volume 2,200,000 m3 (78,000,000 cu ft)[1]

The Upper Nihotupu Reservoir (or Upper Nihotupu Dam) is one of five reservoirs in the Waitakere Ranges that supply water to Auckland, New Zealand. Completed in 1923,[1] the concrete gravity dam and its reservoir are managed by Water Care Services Limited, a council-owned company.

Construction

Construction was difficult due to the amount of rainfall and flooding in the area and spanned a total of 8 years. One person was killed during the construction of the bush tram line.

Tourism

The Nihotupu area and the picturesque Nihotupu Falls were a tourist attraction in the late 19th century before the dam for the reservoir was built.

A bush tram that was built during the construction of the dam and its water pipeline is now used for the Water Care-run "Rainforest Express" tourist excursions. As at April 12th 2016, the RFE is closed by Watercare until further notice. Please enquire with Watercare for further information or look up Watakere Tramline and NZ Regional Trains on facebook.The dam is the end point of the trips from Jacobson's Depot and can also be reached by walking track access from Piha Road. Steep steps lead up the face of the dam.

References

  1. 1 2 3 (from the Water Care Services website. Accessed 2013-07-22.)
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