In March 2026 we opened the gates of the Rakaia Intake to our community, giving a firsthand look at how we manage one of Canterbury’s key irrigation water sources.

One area that often generates interest and questions is our river diversion point. This is where water is carefully diverted from an active braid of the Rakaia River and guided towards our intake gates, a process that balances reliable water supply with the river’s natural behaviour.

To help share this story more widely, we have created a short video explaining how the diversion works and how we manage river flows while respecting the natural behaviour of the Rakaia River. 

CPWL’s Engineering Manager, Andrew Broughton, explains the fascinating nature of river morphology, how the riverbed is constantly moving and reshaping itself, and the strategies CPWL uses to manage this dynamic environment. 

“Rather than trying to control the river with concrete and steel, our approach is to work with it,” says Andrew. 

Using strategically placed boulders, we mimic natural river processes to create a diversion opening that allows just enough water into the intake to meet demand, while naturally excluding high flood flows that could threaten infrastructure. This nature-based approach reduces the need for hard engineering while protecting both the scheme and the river ecosystem. 

“It is a practical example of engineering that works in harmony with nature, and this message strongly resonated with those who joined the tour.”

Watch the video above to learn how we are Working in Harmony with Nature to manage water resources.