Longshore Gravel Transport at Lake Pukaki, New Zealand
Meridian Energy Limited commissioned eCoast to undertake a preliminary assessment to help reduce the volume of gravel entering Lake Pukaki’s hydro canal gate.
Meridian Energy Limited (MEL) commissioned eCoast to undertake a preliminary assessment on developing a solution to halt or greatly reduce the volume of gravel entering Lake Pukaki’s hydro canal gate. This included the review of existing report work and original gravel trap design and location, collection of additional bathymetric survey data, utilise basic wind-generated wave modelling to evaluate possible gravel transport mechanisms and pathways, and the potential trapping mechanisms. Alternative locations, orientation and designs for the gravel trap were discussed, as well as other options besides a groyne/pit such as gate entrance extension, an updrift deflection structure and the swapping of the gate function to become the spillway rather than for input into the Pukaki Canal.
