Lee Valley Dam

This page details the Lee Valley Dam project and the work of the Waimea Water Augmentation Committee (WWAC). The Economic Development Agency regional strategy identifies the Lee Valley Dam as a priority for the region and supports the WWAC initiatives. The project is included in the Tasman District Council Draft Long Term Plan 2012-2022, and has attracted support from both local and central Government.

Waimea Water Augmentation Committee

The Waimea Water Augmentation Committee (WWAC) is a partnership between local industry and local Councils focused on developing a dam within the Lee Valley. The Lee Valley Dam has been hailed as a model for community driven infrastructure projects. Detailed information is available in the document library below.

Water Resources are Over-allocated

Historically the Waimea Basin has been short of water for irrigation, urban and industrial supply. Water resources are currently over-allocated by 22% in drought conditions for an inadequate environmental flow of 225 litres per second. If adequate environmental flows of greater than 1000 litres per second are considered in the river the over-allocation exceeds 50 %.

At the moment about 3700 hectares of land has water permits for irrigation, but a further 1500 hectares could be irrigated if more water was available. An additional 550ha adjacent to the Waimea Plains could also be irrigated. With continuing growth in the district there is increasing demand for water supply to the towns and industry. Potential future regional urban water supply demand is estimated to be equivalent to 440ha in 100 years.

All water users have had to cope with severe water restrictions over the last few years during dry seasons. This has not only caused significant production cutbacks for irrigated crops leading to economic loss, but also affected the important environmental values of the rivers and the coastal springs that are highly valued by the community and local iwi.

Environmental Effects of Limited Water

Drawing off water, both from groundwater and the river, has a significant detrimental effect on the low flows of the river and leads to salt water intrusion in the aquifers. The Wairoa/Waimea Rivers are the water sources that recharge the aquifers supplying irrigation and urban water to the Waimea Plains and Richmond urban area.

In light of these concerns and the sustainability concerns for the area, an area known for its horticultural and agricultural contribution to the region’s economy, a community driven project to enhance the economic and social opportunities of the area was initiated in 2005.

Waimea Water Augmentation Committee Document Library

Within this site much of the relevant project details, including environmental and scientific reports, newsletters and representative reports, are available for perusal.

Waimea Water Augmentation Committee Document Library