© irene waters 2015
Aratiatia dam in New Zealands North Island provides a vision of depth which we were not expecting. After a morning on the jet boat we were having a lazy drive not expecting to come across something this spectacular.
© irene waters 2015
The dam is supplies water to one of the many hydro electric power stations and is opened four times a day to send 90,000 litres per SECOND, yes per second down the otherwise almost dry riverbed.
© irene waters 2015
When dry there are some pools of water which are the most spectacular colour.
© irene waters 2015
From one of the lookouts which you can get to along an easy walking bush track.
© irene waters 2015
Even then Roger and I managed to get separated. He is at the corner of the lower lookout whilst I had managed to find myself at the upper one.
© irene waters 2015
Some people didn’t want to stay at the lookouts and had climbed down closer to the river awaiting opening.
© irene waters 2015
The first gate opens.
© irene waters 2015
The water starts to flow
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
Note the pool at the base of the gate is now visible as the other gate opens.
© irene waters 2015
Now fully open
© irene waters 2015
the level rises
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
Depth in the river
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
After 30 minutes the gates shut
© irene waters 2015
leaving the depth of water to make its way downstream until once again only pools remain.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Wow Irene – amazing post 😀
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Thanks Irene Amazing sight
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Wow! Fascinating – hopefully people don’t get to close to the river when the water is released. Has anyone been stupid, gotten into the water and drowned?
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I don’t know if they have but I imagine it is possible. Particularly downstream of the dam where it is still and dry and then it just comes.
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That third picture is stunning! Don’t know if I’d be able to climb down there.
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I couldn’t climb down there. They must have known where to sit to be close to the roar, any lower and they would have been caught in it.
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Great photos. A wonderful spot.
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Absolutely. It would be reasonably close to where you are I imagine (at least in Australian distances)
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I’ve never seen a damn operate like that! The colors are vividly beautiful, too!
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Just fantastic. I had seen dams open the gates before when they were full to capacity but just mind boggling they do this four times every day in summer. That is a huge volume of water. I guess they do it less in winter as the source is frozen
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That’s … GASP-MAKING, Irene ! Just wonderful ! Oh, how I wish Stringer and I had been to Kiwiland: it’s so full of fabulous things !
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It is MR. Glad I can share it with you at least. 🙂
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I derived huge pleasure from it. 🙂
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Great.
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Gorgeous photos! Love your take on the prompt. 🙂
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Thanks. It was incredible to see. 🙂
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Spectacular photos Irene. I almost feel I’ve been there.
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Yes an amazing sight Kayti
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Wonderful capture for the ‘depth’ challenge Irene…makes me want to dive in the water, it looks so fresh. But I’m not a strong swimmer so no way would I attempt it. Love your photos and the description, great overhead photos 🙂
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It was powerful Sherri. Not even a strong swimmer would have survived it. 🙂
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