Status Operational Opened 1964 | Location near Taupo Opening date 1964 Surface area 55 ha (140-acre) | |
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Similar Huka Prawn Park, Huka Falls, Craters of the Moon, Volcanic Activity Centre, Wairakei Natural Thermal | ||
Aratiatia power station taupo new zealand
Aratiatia Power Station is a hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the first hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, and is located 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) downstream of Lake Taupo. Aratiatia is owned and operated by Mercury Energy.
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Aratiatia is a largely run-of-the-river station, as it generates electricity from water from the Lake Taupo control gates and to the Ohakuri Power Station. It does, however, have a 55-hectare (140-acre) lake behind the station for temporary storage.
Aratiatia Rapids
Before construction of the dam and hydro station, the Aratiatia Rapids were a prominent feature on the Waikato River. The dam construction meant that no water flowed over the rapids. However, several times a day, the Aratiatia dam gates of the Waikato River are opened, which restores the rapids to their normal operation. There are several public lookout points on the high rock bluffs that dominate this turbulent stretch of Aratiatia Rapids.