Access

Some months ago the Otago conservancy of DOC released their proposed Mt Aspiring National Park Management Plan. It is due to be approved by the NZ Conservation Authority and assuming nothing surprising happens, Whitewater NZ has had a significant win by retaining aerial access to Bonar Flats on the Waiatoto River.

A Mangahao release has been scheduled for 22 May to replace the release which was cancelled last month.

Josh Neilson's latest production is called REALM: it follows four NZ kayakers around the world providing an insight into each of their lives, what they do and what motivates them to live this way. Dates have been set for Napier (17 April) and Wellington (24 April). See the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEYfplJoHnQ

Mangahao Joint Venture has advised that the Mangahao release this Saturday will be postponed. A test operation on the the No. 2 dam bypass gate was carried out yesterday after problems with the gate forced the cancellation of last October's release. Unfortunately, the gate failed to open yesterday and remains jammed closed. The result came as a surprise as the gate opening was successfully tested earlier this year. If the gate can be repaired, a replacement date will be advertised for a Saturday in May.

Brendan Bayly advises about a Freestyle Kayaking event open to everyone of all ranges of abilities at Fulljames/Ngaawapurua rapids in Taupo, 20 and 21 March (weekend

Alan Hoffman reports that the Tekapo Release this weekend has been cancelled due to the high level of Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. Consequently the Pukaki spillway will be discharging 140 cumecs from now until next week, including this weekend.

DOC have released the Operational Plan for the St James Conservation Area. It recognised the value of the Upper Waiau, noting Below the point where it is joined by the Ada River, the upper Waiau River is one of the best rivers for rafting and kayaking in the eastern South Island.

Genesis Energy have advised that the Rangipo Power Station is planned to be shut down between the 7th and 18th January 2010. Based on past years, the flow below Rangipo dam will be approximately 19 cumecs (including the discharge from the Waihohonu tunnel). The increased flows will affect the Access 14 and Access 13 sections of the Tongariro River.