Opuha Dam

Lake Opuha is a man-made lake located in the Mackenzie Basin region of New Zealand, around 12 kilometers from the township of Fairlie.

The lake is built with the purpose of acting as an irrigation reservoir and provides 7.7 MW of electricity to New Zealand's national grid. The Opuha Dam, located on the Opuha River, a tributary of the Opihi River in South Canterbury, is used for water storage for farming irrigation and generates electricity by way of a small-scale Hydro 7.5MW Electric Plant which sits on the outlet of the Dam, at the head of the Opuha River Gorge. The site has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it supports breeding colonies of the endangered black-billed gull.

Lake Opuha is a popular destination for tourists, especially in winter when snow covers the surrounding mountains, providing stunning mountain views. Visitors can park up by the main road or take the gravel road (look out for a sign for Opuha Dam) for an elevated view of the lake. The lake can also be accessed by driving to the dam (and further around). The lake is well known for its great fishing, boasting three introduced species of fish: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Salmon. Rainbow Trout originate from the Opuha River, before the Dam was built; with the Brown Trout and Salmon being introduced into the Lake following its formation. In addition to fishing, the lake can be used in summer for other recreational activities such as boating, kayaking, and water skiing.

The Opuha Dam project was initially conceptualized in 1992 by the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand (ECNZ) and the Opihi Augmentation Society, and resulted in the Opuha Dam Partnership being formed to commercialize the project. The dam failed during construction on February 6, 1997, due to heavy rain, but was completed in 1998, creating Lake Opuha. The dam, giving surety of water supply to farms, has led to the creation of 500 new jobs; augmented the Opihi River to the point where once again it is an angler's delight; created a very popular recreational lake near Fairlie, and generates electricity. To get to Lake Opuha, visitors can turn off SH79 heading out of Fairlie and follow Clayton Road, a long straight tar-sealed road, towards Lake Opuha. There are three main entry points: Bennett’s Road, Opuha Gorge Road, and Hays Road. While in Fairlie, visitors can also stop off at Fairlie Bakehouse and try a pie, with the pork belly and apple sauce pie (including crackling) being a popular choice.