In response to TRM inmates’ phoned requests – The Tongariro River flow has varied from 22 to 27 cumecs over the last day since the power company commenced their works programme – repeated below.
The flow has much more colour and looks mean and threatening – quite impossible for spotting rises. Temperature is more like Autumn than Summer with cold blustery showers. This means any TRM purists wanting to show their skills casting their dainty tiny dry flies and bead head nymphs will have to sink over to the dark side and fling out big ugly woolly buggers if they want to catch trout. There is hardly any skill required… so they tell me.
Genesis has upcoming maintenance work that will result in higher flows than usual on the Tongariro River for much of March.
From Saturday 6 March to Friday 19 March, the Moawhango and Rangipo Intake Tunnels will be inspected. This work means flows from Rangipo Dam to Poutu Intake will be at natural levels, and more subject to natural fluctuation. This work will also require a flow discharge into Waihaha Stream of up to 3 cumecs, so please be aware of higher flows than normal in this stream and its crossing on the Tree Trunk Gorge track.
Then, from Monday 22 March to Wednesday 31 March, the Poutu Tunnel and Canal will be inspected, affecting the flows downstream of Poutu Intake, including at Tūrangi township. These flows will be approximately 15-25 cumecs higher than what is normally seen in the lower Tongariro River.
Flows will also be higher in the Poutu Stream during this period. Due to the nature of the work, either or both inspections may be completed and the river returned to its usual flows before the end of the periods described above.
Please be aware that these flows will also be subject to natural fluctuation and generation flow change at any time. Please feel free to share this information directly or via social media with other river users and contact me if you have any questions. Flow information can be found on the Genesis website.
Kenzie Jackson | Environmental Advisor Genesis Energy Ltd | Tokaanu Power Station | Private Bag 36 | Tūrangi 3353DDI. 07 985 5060
