MEDIA RELEASE
Friday 17 August 2012
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Karapiro section of Waikato River Trails closed due to dropouts

The part of the Karapiro section of the Waikato River Trails that was closed on Monday 13 August because of dropouts will remain closed this weekend (18-19 August 2012).

The first closure was announced after contractors discovered two dropouts following bad weather. The dropouts occurred between Little Waipa Reserve and Powerhouse Road.
“With the heavy rain and storms of the past few days it appears that the retaining area in a couple of spots hasn’t withstood the forces of nature,” said Waikato River Trails general manager Glyn Wooller.

Mr Wooller says contractors have now completed restoration work on the affected areas. However, with heavy rainfall expected this weekend that part of the trail will remain closed as a precautionary measure until it can be reassessed early next week.

“Our own contracting team and external contractors have now finished assessing the entire 100km of trail and have found nothing else that concerns us at this time,” said Mr Wooller.

“We did locate a couple of very minor slips on the Arapuni section from Waotu South Road to Waipapa Dam but they only require some light cleanup and will not be an issue to trail users.”

The four sections of the Trails from Arapuni Dam through to Atiamuri are unaffected and remain open for business.

Ends Media Release

MEDIA NOTES ABOUT THE WAIKATO RIVER TRAILS
• The Waikato River Trails, the second full “Great Ride” to be completed under Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail, was officially opened on Saturday 5 November.
• The Waikato River Trails extend 100km along New Zealand’s longest river, the “Mighty Waikato”. The trails stretch from Atiamuri to the upper end of Lake Karapiro and take in five lakes, four hydro dams and a number of small towns and villages.
• The Waikato River Trails showcases the very best of the Waikato region’s natural environment.
• The Waikato River Trails is a partnership project between Waikato River Trails Trust, The New Zealand Cycle Trail project, Mighty River Power (Major sponsor), South Waikato District Council (Major supporter), and the Waikato Regional Council and Taupo District Councils as well as a range of other project partners and funding supporters.
• Construction of the Waikato River Trails began in 2003 with the support of a group of very committed local people determined to create social and economic opportunities for the South Waikato community. In the last eight years a number of schools and the wider community have all contributed to the project.

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