Klondyke storage proposal - assessment of economic impacts

Abstract

Rangitata Diversion Race Management Ltd (RDRML) proposes to build a water storage facility at Klondyke in order to increase the reliability of irrigation supply to its shareholders, and to facilitate the development of additional irrigation within the boundaries of the schemes irrigated from the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR). The proposed 53 million cubic metre storage pond could also ensure that a significant volume of water will be available for other uses including irrigation outside the RDR, initiatives such as Managed Aquifer Recharge, and other economic and recreational uses yet to be identified.The proposal has the potential to contribute directly to the CWMS targets of increasing the area developed for irrigation in the region and improving the reliability of irrigation water supply for existing irrigators, without increasing pressure on the regions’ freshwater resources. It also has the potential to contribute to the achievement of greater efficiency at the farm, scheme and catchment levels