The first project to improve water flow into Lake Hood is “looking good so far”.

A new channel to divert water from the existing Ashburton River intake channel to the Lake Hood extension has been completed, as the council works towards improving water quality.

Lake Hood, a made-made lake south of Ashburton, has been plagued by algal blooms in recent years.

Ashburton District Council infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann said a drone was sent up on Sunday and Monday to see how it was working.

“We had some water coming in from the river with some sediment in it so it was really useful to see how it was working.

“Initially, it looks like it’s doing slightly better than we expected.

“It is getting water down to the north-western canals.

“So far it is looking good.”

The council is attempting to tackle the water quality issues after taking over the management of the lake earlier this year.

The council budgeted $250,000 for water quality improvements in the 2024-25 financial year and the new channel was the first project.

No extra water is being taken from the river.

It is water from the existing water-take consent being split between the new channel and the canal into the original lake at the northern-end beach.

The idea behind the secondary inlet is to help flush the canals on the western side of the lake, McCann said.

Now that it is up and running, it will be monitored to ensure the water is ending up where they want it, he said.

The new channel aims to improve water quality at Lake Hood, with the council committed to investing in long-term solutions, he said.

The council also wants to improve the river intake and is continuing discussions with Environment Canterbury about river water.

The Lake Extension Trust Limited had previously managed the lake and surrounds for the council but since July 1 Ashburton Contracting Limited has been managing the lake on a five-year contract.

A weed harvester was purchased for around $180,000 earlier this year and Ashburton Contracting Limited staff have been trained to drive it and are expected to start using it in October.

By Jonathan Leask