Southern Rural Water has undertaken improvement works on the Macalister Irrigation District’s Main Northern and Main Southern channel siphons this winter.
Southern Rural Water replaced the ageing, 100-year-old Main Northern No.2 channel siphons with a flume structure. This is a raised concrete chute that transports water from one side of the valley to the other. As part of works, concrete was poured for the base and walls of the 81-metre-long flume structure.
The flume will improve channel flow, reliability of supply and water efficiency for irrigators in the district.
At the same time, Southern Rural Water replaced the existing Main Southern No.2 channel pipes with a new earthen channel. This will also improve reliability of supply and efficiency in the channel.
Works at both channels took place during the winter shutdown period between May – August.
The Main Northern No.2 Siphon supplies over 30 percent of the district, and the Main Southern No.2 Siphon supplies over 50 percent of the district.