Difference between revisions of "The Small Dams of Central Otago"
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== The Small Dams of Central Otago == | == The Small Dams of Central Otago == | ||
| − | David Ellis 2009 New Zealand Society on Large Dams, Wellington 156pp | + | [[Image:Ellis.jpg|thumb|right]]David Ellis 2009 New Zealand Society on Large Dams, Wellington 156pp |
ISBN 978-0-908960-53-8 | ISBN 978-0-908960-53-8 | ||
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{{Pop}} | {{Pop}} | ||
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Alexandra resident D G Ellis is a former General Manager of the Otago Central Electric Power Board and earlier Assistant Engineer under his father Engineer-Manager. His book concentrates on the schemes built for power and or irrigation, rather than the dams of the gold-mining days, though the power from the earlier of those covered here was used in the later dredges. | Alexandra resident D G Ellis is a former General Manager of the Otago Central Electric Power Board and earlier Assistant Engineer under his father Engineer-Manager. His book concentrates on the schemes built for power and or irrigation, rather than the dams of the gold-mining days, though the power from the earlier of those covered here was used in the later dredges. | ||
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A book for archaeologists of civil engineering heritage for sure. | A book for archaeologists of civil engineering heritage for sure. | ||
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'''References''' | '''References''' | ||
Revision as of 22:28, 23 April 2010
The Small Dams of Central Otago
David Ellis 2009 New Zealand Society on Large Dams, Wellington 156pp
ISBN 978-0-908960-53-8
The Blurb: “A history of the small dams that were built to provide irrigation and electricity for people of the area”.
Mini Review
This is a POP page.
It represents a Personal OPinion.
That opinion is the sole responsiblity of the author and not the website!
Alexandra resident D G Ellis is a former General Manager of the Otago Central Electric Power Board and earlier Assistant Engineer under his father Engineer-Manager. His book concentrates on the schemes built for power and or irrigation, rather than the dams of the gold-mining days, though the power from the earlier of those covered here was used in the later dredges.
Central Otago is fortunate in the attention that has been given to its engineering heritage. The dredges[1] and their early power schemes have been well covered[2]. The extraordinary story of the Alexandra and district water supply for gold and the town around has been well told by McCraw[3].
This is a valuable addition to these. Ellis had access to many pictures of the dams in construction and being tested by floods, so his book is extraordinarily rich in these. It is a mine-able source for the methods of dam construction of the past. Not that all the dams are old. One dam is of roller compacted concrete - a new technique and one as yet rare in New Zealand. Some pictures too of remains from their construction so there is a bit archaeology here. Most of the dams are concrete arch dams - suitable for the geology and reflecting how far aggregate for concrete had to be brought. The roller compacted concrete dam is of schist, so this was another way around the problem.
There are lots of engineering drawings too - and perhaps some which a lay person would struggle with - but an engineer will love them. Good to see the designers and builders credited fully, but the story is a bit lifeless at times. Some research in newspaper archives might have brought out some more colour and perhaps have replaced some of the rather dull accounts of estimates and out-turn costs.
A book for archaeologists of civil engineering heritage for sure.
References
Hamilton, D J 2009 Early Water Races in Central Otago. Proceedings 3rd Australasian Engineering Heritage Conference On line.
Ellis, D 2005 Electricity in Central Otago, 1922-1990: an account of the people who brought electricity to the homes and work places of Central Otago under the elected power board system. Privately Published Alexandra.
