| Rangitata Diversion Race | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Location | Mid Canterbury |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 67 km (42 miles) |
| History | |
| Current owner | Rangitata Diversion Race Management Limited |
| Original owner | Public Works Department |
| Principal engineer | Thomas Beck |
| Construction began | 2 April 1937 |
| Date of first use | 8 June 1944 |
| Date completed | November 1944 |
| Geography | |
| Start point | Klondyke |
| End point | Highbank |
The Rangitata Diversion Race or RDR is a combined irrigation and power generation scheme that diverts water from the Rangitata River to irrigate over 66,000 hectares of farmland in Mid-Canterbury, New Zealand. The RDR project was the first major river diversion in New Zealand, and the largest irrigation scheme in the country. It was originally constructed by the Public Works Department between 1937 and 1944. The main canal is 67 km long, 10 m wide and 3 m deep.[1][2]
The RDR supplies three community irrigation schemes, two hydroelectric power stations, the Ashburton District Council stockwater race system and various private stockwater and irrigation schemes.[1]
- ^ a b "About us". Rangitata Diversion Race Management. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
- ^ "Rangitata Diversion Race". Engineering New Zealand. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.