Lower Nihotupu Reservoir

The Lower Nihotupu Reservoir (or Lower Nihotupu Dam) is one of five reservoirs in the Waitākere Ranges that supply water to Auckland. Built between 1945 and 1948,[2] the reservoir covers an area of 52.9 hectares and has a capacity of 4.6 million cubic metres.[1] The reservoir is managed by Water Care Services Limited, a council-owned company.

Lower Nihotupu Reservoir
Looking south, the reservoir from the Rainforest Express bush tram line.
Lower Nihotupu Reservoir
Location	Auckland, North Island
Coordinates	36°57′32″S 174°36′48″E
Type	Reservoir
Basin countries	New Zealand
Surface area	52.9 ha (131 acres)[1]
Water volume	4.60×10^6–4.81×10^6 m^3 (3,730–3,900 acre⋅ft)[2][1]

The dam is credited as one of the first applied examples of the soil mechanics science in New Zealand, and was soon followed by the creating of engineering geology as a major subject at the University of Auckland Faculty of Engineering.[2]

References

1. (from the Water Care Services website. Accessed 2013-09-24.)
2. Engineering to 1990 — IPENZ, Engineering Publications Co Ltd, Page 8-9