I have to share our dive from yesterday - the plan was perfect, to find and explore New Zealand's first hydro-electric power station.
The building of Horahora Power Station started in 1910, and after three years it went into operation.
Over time, more hydro stations were built on the Waikato River. On March 4th 1947 the final blocks were put in place on the Karapiro dam, and the waters rose to create Lake Karapiro that swallowed Horahora forever.
Due to power shortages at the time, Horahora was operational whilst the waters rose, generating electricity even as the generators were swallowed into the depths. One continued to work after it was completely submerged, giving rise to the legend that Horahora wouldn't die.
To our knowledge, no one has dived the power station since it was submerged in 1947. We had high hopes.
Now I've built it up, read the full Tech Dive NZ - Horahora Power Station Trip Report to find out what really happened!
The building of Horahora Power Station started in 1910, and after three years it went into operation.
Over time, more hydro stations were built on the Waikato River. On March 4th 1947 the final blocks were put in place on the Karapiro dam, and the waters rose to create Lake Karapiro that swallowed Horahora forever.
Due to power shortages at the time, Horahora was operational whilst the waters rose, generating electricity even as the generators were swallowed into the depths. One continued to work after it was completely submerged, giving rise to the legend that Horahora wouldn't die.
To our knowledge, no one has dived the power station since it was submerged in 1947. We had high hopes.
Now I've built it up, read the full Tech Dive NZ - Horahora Power Station Trip Report to find out what really happened!