Ohaaki Wetland Project – Progress Update

Fish and Game are currently overseeing an ambitious project to construct a new 24 ha wetland at Ohaaki on the Waikato River. It has been predicted by the year 2030, subsidence, as a result of geothermal abstraction by the Ohaaki Power Station, will be sufficient for the entire site to be covered by water from the River, when it is at normal operating heights. When this project is complete, an earth bund will prevent water retreating, creating stable water levels and creating excellent permanent wetland habitat, benefiting hunters and the biodiversity of the area.

Construction is now well underway with earth moving machinery arriving on site just before Christmas.  Top soil has been removed from the borrow pit and bund and stock piled. Erosion trenches and bunds have been constructed and trees in the pathway of the bund have been removed.

This is an exciting project and one which we look forward to updating you as work progresses.

Earth works at Ohaaki