01. Maraetai dam looking down stream 1945prev | nextEarly investigations of the Maraetai dam site on the Waikato River. A drilling rig used to take rock samples from the riverbed is mounted on a barge in the centre of the river.
03. Construction of abutmentsprev | nextView from upstream showing penstock intakes (centre) and construction of right abutment thrust block of the dam. Abutments provide a sideways thrust that adds strength to the dam.
04. Downstream face of dam August 1951prev | nextPenstocks to take water to the power station protruding through the downstream face of the dam. Boxing and reinforcing steel in place in preparation for a pour of concrete.
More than 153,000 cubic metres of concrete and 5000 tonnes of steel were used in the powerhouse & dam. Some 11,000 tonnes of cement was used for grouting the surrounding rock.
05. Upstream face of dam January 1952prev | nextUpstream face of Maraetai showing penstock inlets (at bottom).
06. Downstream face of dam january 1952prev | nextConstruction of steel penstocks (diameter 4.8m, length 70m) and transformer platforms (at right).
07. Maraetai nearing completionprev | nextView looking upstream at the nearly completed powerhouse and dam. The river remains diverted with the outlet of the tunnel visible at bottom right.
Electricity was first generated from Maraetai I in November 1952.
Lake Maraetai has filled behind the concrete arch dam and electricity is being generated from Maraetai I.
Work began on Maraetai II in 1959. Construction on the 500m headrace canal and penstock slope is visible at right.
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