Kakahu Scheme Operations Updates

 

Update 5 October 2026
The scheme was shut down on 1 October 2026 due to lack of demand.

Update 22 September 2026
With demand for water in the Kakahu scheme, OWL will be undertaking black disc clarity measurements in the Opuha and Kakahu Rivers tomorrow (23 September) and if conditions are favourable, commence discharge of water from the pipeline into the Kakahu River.

Kakahu Black Disc Results

DateLocationBlack Disc (m)% ChangeNotes
1/10/2026Kakahu U/S2.58+25%Better water clarity downstream than upstream
1/10/2026Kakahu D/S3.23  
29/09/2026Kakahu U/S1.77+10%Better water clarity downstream than upstream
29/09/2026Kakahu D/S1.96  
25/09/2026Kakahu U/S3.34–4% 
25/09/2026Kakahu D/S3.20  
24/09/2026Kakahu U/S2.94–8%Measurement undertaken within 24 hours of start up
24/09/2026Kakahu D/S2.70  
23/09/2026Opihi River Skipton1.37–36.60%Within 50% therefore commenced start up
23/09/2026Kakahu U/S2.16