Lake Hood water quality update 17 July 2024

Contractors will soon begin building a new channel to divert water from the existing Ashburton River intake channel to the Lake Hood extension, as part of work to improve water flow through the whole lake.

Council has budgeted $250,000 for water quality improvements in the 2024-25 financial year and the new channel is its first project.

Group Manager Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said no extra water was being taken from the river, and water from the existing water-take consent would be taken through the existing river intake, then split between the new channel and the canal into the original lake at the northern-end beach.

“We hope the channel work will be under way in the next month and water will run into the lake extension near to where the jumping platform is located. The idea is that water will help flush the canals on the western side of the lake.

“We’ll be monitoring water flows to determine if additional work will be required to get the water where we want it. This is just the start of our work to improve water quality at Lake Hood and Council is committed to investing in long-term solutions.”

Council also wants to make improvements at the river intake and is continuing discussions with Environment Canterbury about river water.

Since 1 July, ACL has been managing the lake for Council. The company has a five-year contract for the work, which includes the operation of a weed harvester, which will start in spring.

Mr McCann said the Lake Extension Trust Limited had previously managed the lake and surrounds for Council.

“We’d would like to thank the Trust for all the work it has done for Council over the years and we look forward to continuing to work with them as a developer.”

The trust has recently bought 10 hectares from Council to undertake stage 15 at the lake.

See more information about Lake Hood here.