DAMS

Irrigation

Since New Zealand's maritime climate ensures a generally abundant and reasonably uniform distribution of rainfall in most areas, dependence of the economy on land irrigation is not extensive; the use of dams of any but minor size is confined to Central Otago. The development of water resources for irrigation in Central Otago is a Government undertaking that was put into effect some years ago. None of the several dams in the system would be rated large, however, by standards elsewhere.

• Definition and Purposes

• Irrigation

• Hydro-electric Power

• Geological Aspects

• Dam Types and Materials

• Dam Features—Outlets, and Spillways

• Underground Seepage

• Height and Storage Capacity

Warning

This information was published in 1966 in An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock. It has not been corrected and will not be updated.

Up-to-date information can be found elsewhere in Te Ara.