Waimea Community Dam - from start of construction to April 2024

Watch timelapse construction footage and aerial video of the Waimea Community Dam up until April 2024 when the water dispersing valves began operating during the region's very tough 2024 summer/autumn drought.

With the smaller of three permanent dispersing valves installed in early March 2024, water was able to be released from the reservoir through
the small valve on Saturday 2 March. Twenty percent of the reservoir water was released over March and in early April during the region’s very tough
drought.

Successful testing of the two larger dispersing valves took place in early April, and water was released to supplement the river and aquifers as needed.

Without the dam, water restrictions would have been very harsh, had a significant impact on shareholders and the local economy, and likely dried up the Waimea River at the time.