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Sunny day at the Whakamaru Dam






On our travels last weekend we stopped at a nearby lake and drove across the Whakamaru Dam. This baby is hydro-electric and owned by Mercury Energy.



It began being built in 1949 and took 3 years from start to finish. Power is sent from via 220 kv lines to the Bay of Plenty (where we live), Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Hamilton.



Apparently there are some walking tracks around this area where people have sighted such birds as fantails, grey warblers, waxeyes and tuis.



The control center for the North Island of NZ was first established in 1964 and continued to operate until a replacement facility was found in Hamilton in 1992.



In 2013 a project was started to refurbish the turbines and generators. In 2016 the equipment arrived and was installed in 2017.



Along with ducks and swans this is a perfect place to fish for brown trout that average around 1.5kg.
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Comments

local alien said…
Beautiful NZ scenery. So green!
11 February 2018 at 21:52
PerthDailyPhoto said…
NZ has some of the best scenery in the world, wouldn't mind seeing it for myself one day.. beautiful cloud reflections Amy ✨
12 February 2018 at 02:47
Graham Edwards said…
Recently you've been taking me around some areas I've never explored. I don't recall ever driving that stretch of SH32. Thank you.
12 February 2018 at 03:07
carol l mck said…
Amy ~ beautiful nature photos ~ great reflections!

Happy Week a head to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
12 February 2018 at 05:25
Bill said…
The reflections and scenery is gorgeous. Very nice photos, Amy!
12 February 2018 at 05:35
Sallie (FullTime-Life) said…
It's really cool that they added a walking path. We've done some of our best birding at power and utility facilities where they've added amenities like this.
12 February 2018 at 06:29
Rhonda Albom said…
This is a pretty spot. The trout fishing sounds great.
12 February 2018 at 23:34
NatureFootstep said…
seems like it turned out to be a good place. Beautiful as well. :)
13 February 2018 at 03:48
mick said…
Beautiful scenery and great photos,
13 February 2018 at 13:53
Photo Cache said…
Your summer scenes are very tempting especially when we're still wearing sweaters here.

Worth a Thousand Words
14 February 2018 at 04:52
Fun60 said…
The reflections and surrounding scenery are beautiful.
14 February 2018 at 06:19
Buckeroomama said…
I love the reflections of the clouds on the water. So pretty.
15 February 2018 at 01:56
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