Water Races

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Water Races

Water-Race

Planned Water-Race Temporary Shutdowns

History

Selwyn District has some 2,000 kilometres of water races travelling across the plains from various river inlets or 'head works'. The various schemes began in the 1870s and 1880s and have since been added to and, in some places, retired or lost. A good history of Selwyn's water races up to 1990 is contained in the book In the Shadow of the Alps.

Purpose

The races exist to supply drinking water to stock animals and, in rare cases, to rural households. Their secondary purpose is for emergency fire-fighting use. The Council Water Race Management Plan sets out the key principles to be followed in managing the water race network. The Plan gives a specific statement of intent for the network, details key objectives/outcomes, and outlines best practice guidelines to be followed in managing and operating the network. You can request a copy of the Plan on CD by emailing wr-plan@selwyn.govt.nz

Use of water races for any purpose other than stock water is not a right. If you are unsure contact us to discuss your individual requirements. There are also specific building and planting requirements around water races. The planting guide is just that and planting on one side only is generally permitted to allow access for cleaning.

Council Policy Manual (including Water Races Policies) [PDF 1.1mb]

Water race bylaw 2008 [PDF 2.9 Mb]

Cleaning

Landowners must clean the water races which adjoin their property - except for designated Council races; those are our job.

So, if you have a water race, here are some useful things to know: