Lake Coleridge Power Station

Coleridge was New Zealand's first major power station in which the state was involved. It was constructed mainly to supply electricity to Christchurch, with construction beginning in 1911 and completed with three generating units in 1914. For the most part it was built by hand, with some heavier work done by steam shovels.
Following its initial construction, the twin 66 kV transmission lines connecting the power station with Christchurch's Addington substation were the highest voltage in New Zealand, and the longest at over 100 kilometres (62 mi) long. (Wikipedia)
Water supply was a challenge, and so three river diversions were made to increase the amount of water available in the lake: the Harper River in 1922, the Acheron River in 1930, and later the Wilberforce River in 1977. (Wikipedia). Note as far as I can tell the Acheron River is below the level of the lake so I think this is a mistake. In looking at google earth it is clear that another river to the north has a division the Glenthorne Stream, apologies if this is incorrect. 😀.
Lake Coleridge is a beautiful lake sitting in a glacial valley with no natural outflows. The power station was constructed on glacial terminal moraine which presented difficulties in its construction.
An easy and extremely pretty drive from Christchurch taking around an hour and a half traveling across the Canterbury Plains and past the Mt Hutt ski field . It is possible to loop back to Christchurch via the Torleese Tussocklands Park, Lake Lyndon and Porters Pass on State Highway 73 some of this route can be seen here • Lake Clearwater and Po...
Images taken on a drive with my mother who had just turned 90 , she did like those jaunts into the country side she grew up in as a child. 😀
Here is a link to a really interesting video by the Coleridge community on the same subject : • Building the Lake Cole...
The lake is also on the Te Araroa Trail, New Zealands North Cape to Bluff walk. www.teararoa.o...
My Gear
Canon 5Dmkiv and 24 -105 4L.
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