Aratiatia Power Station

Aratiatia
Aratiatia Rapids with opened spill gates
Land	Neuseeland
Standort	near Taupo
Status	Operational
Power Station
Typ	Run-of-the-river

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 Mighty River Power.

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.

The station is situated next to the Aratiatia Rapids. The rapids act as a spillway past the station, and water is released three times daily (four in the summer months) through the rapids.

Watch a waterfall come to life. Several times a day, the Arariaria dam gates of the Waikato River are opened, which turns a dry gorge into a magnificent waterfall before your eyes. There are several excellent vantage points on the high rock bluffs that dominate this turbulent stretch of Aratiatia Rapids. Summer release hours are 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm while winter release hours are 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm.

See also

• Electricity sector in New Zealand
• Hydroelectric power in New Zealand

Further reading

• Martin, John E, ed. (1991). People, Power and Power Stations: Electric Power Generation in New Zealand 1880 - 1990. Wellington: Bridget Williams Books Ltd and Electricity Corporation of New Zealand. pp. 316 pages. ISBN 0-908912-16-1.

External links

• MIghty River Power - Aratiatia photos