Watch this space… For your long weekend contemplation…

A new major wild trout fishing hydro storage lake may be formed within the Taupo Fishing District catchment – see map below:

Lake Moawhango identified in the official map above is located at the extreme southern border of Taupo Fishing District managed by DOC.

It has been reported that after investigations costing $21.8 million the plug is to be pulled on a power scheme that claimed technically it could have solved New Zealand’s looming energy shortage.

Lake Onslow, high up in Central Otago, will now remain a quiet windswept fishing spot with rustic huts, endless tussock and grazing cattle as its backdrop rather than a massive concrete dam.

The pumped-hydro scheme that would have enlarged Lake Onslow by several times was a key part of the outgoing Labour government’s NZ Battery Project, a $100 million programme led by MBIE (the Ministry of Everything – Business, Innovation, Employment and Hydroelectricity schemes).

Their aim is to find ways to keep the lights on and keep electric cars fueled up in a dry year.

However the incoming government coalition plans to shelve the Onslow project. National, Act and NZ First have all declared the $16 billion (!) Crown-funded scheme will not go ahead under their watch.

BUT…

Lake Moawhango from west side looking east, January 2022

The new government boffins are considering another THINK BIGGER scheme which has been investigated to replace and improve on the Lake Onslow scheme – much more economical and conveniently hidden well away from any critical public scrutiny… The only potential objectors and only local residents are Kaimanawa wild horses. The major disadvantage of the Lake Onslow scheme, the loss of power from lengthy transmission, is overcome. It could be a win-win for everyone. Imagine, that Waiouru could become another Turangi to provide contractors’ housing for the scheme.

Lake Moawhango…

Lake Moawhango is a small artificial lake located within the New Zealand Army‘s Waiouru Military Camp.^[1] It is fed by the Mangaio Stream, boosted by tributaries diverted from the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, and by the Moawhango River. Water is taken from the lake for the Tongariro Power Scheme, feeding the Tongariro River via the Moawhango Tunnel, although some water is released to continue down the Moawhango River near the settlement of Moawhango. The lake is dammed at the southern e

Lake Moawhango contains a large population of wild rainbow trout, and while these are easily caught, they very rarely exceed 2 pounds (0.9 kg) in weight. The lake contains three islands, the largest of which is known as Ayers Rock.

SWMBO has been advised the New Zealand government is now exploring an alternative option to link in with the Tongariro Power Scheme. The new proposal is to use the lake for a pumped-storage hydroelectricity as an alternative to Lake Onslow. Wow!

Lake Moawhango looking northwest to Mt Ruapehu, January 2022

Watch this space…