Hydroslide at Clyde, December 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Just a short way up the valley of the mighty Clutha River from the little township of Clyde is the Clyde
hydro-electricity dam. The power-station there generates for the National Grid.
In early December 2010 there was heavy rainfall in the headwaters of all the rivers, including the Clutha,
which are in the Southern Alps region. The generator people started to move water downstream immediately
in anticipation of a major inflow at the heads of the lakes. In the case of the several dams on the Clutha, they
probably did this synchronously. The demand for electricity at the time obviously was not very high, since it is
high summer in New Zealand, and private use of air-conditioning machines is still rare. Peope try to keep
their electricity usage low, due to the cost.
Here is a general view from below the dam; the overflow is in action.
A closer view.
Even closer ...
With some of the Powerhouse structures for scale ..
The view downstream to Clyde from below the dam.
A first view from above the outfall.
Next view from above the outfall.
Similar to above but closer. Look how high the wave is.
These two young guys went closer than I was prepared to ...
Similar to above. A good overall view.
Here they are again, beside the hydroslide .
This shot gives a good impression of the up-slope designed to assist in taking some of the force out of the water before it hits the river-bed below.
View downstream to Clyde from about the level of the top of the dam.
End of story !!