Page 78 - 00 Volume 5 The Mine

Coal production has just commenced productivity are related to a number of factors
from underground development, and when fully including: ratio of lake area to surrounding
operational, the mine will produce 400,000 tonnes wetland, extensive beds of submergent and
of coal each year.
State Coal Mines land use requirements
for the Huntly East Mine include this access strip
from the east bank of the Waikato River to the
southern rim of the Kimihia Opencast, plus the
southern portion of the opencast. During the life
of the underground mine, it is necessary to
maintain the depressed water level in the
opencast to protect the workings from flooding.
Surface run-off and groundwater seepage is
pumped from the floor of the opencast and
discharged over the northeastern rim to the
drainage channel leading to Kimihia outlet. The
eventual discharge point may be varied when
water rights are granted and stipulated as a
condition of such water rights.
Municipal Waste Disposal
The Huntly Borough Council utilise part
of the original area of Lake Kimihia for waste
disposal. An oxidation pond has been
constructed to the old western margins of the
lake with provision for further expansion to the
north towards Kimihia Outlet. At the southern end
of the oxidation pond, the Borough operates a
refuse tip which is being extended to the east,
and has an expected life of a further six years at Recreational Activity
the present rate of use.
Lake and Wetlands
The present Lake Kimihia is the fifth largest
lake in the Lower Waikato Basin with a lake and
adjacent wetland area totalling 123 hectares. It is
a natural ponding area for floodwaters from the
surrounding catchment which is 2,278 hectares in
area. The swampy margins of the lake are
regularly underwater after periods of high rainfall.
Lake Kimihia was originally 316 hectares in
area, and following mining, the remnant area of
water is now only 58 hectares. Two drainage
channels are maintained around the perimeter of
the original lake to take water to the old
Kimihia Outlet, and from there, a single channel
discharges into the Waikato River. The northern
perimeter drain takes the discharge from the
remnant Lake Kimihia, and the southern drain
skirts the perimeter of the opencast.
The wildlife values of the area are high, and
the lake is rated by the Wildlife Service as one of
the more valuable wildlife habitats of this type in
the region. The lakes wildlife values and
emergent aquatic plants, water regime and the inter
-relationship of this lake with other wetland
habitats in the region.
Twenty-five wetland bird species have been
recorded from Kimihia with a slightly lesser
number of additional species recorded on the
upland fringes. The area is a breeding ground
of the black swan, grey mallard and shoveller
ducks and pukeko. Other game birds found in the
area include pheasant and quail, and all are hunted
in season.
Three species of shag, two species of
heron, swallows, stilts and hawks are also found
in the area.
Many of these are absolutely protected
species and some are relatively rare. The diversity
of bird species in this area exceeds the number
found in most other wildlife habitats, including
rich indigenous forest areas. The lakes and
fringes are used extensively by hunters during the
game season for waterfowl hunting. Recent
figures indicate 30 -100 individuals use the area
each year for this purpose. A number of
ornithologists also visit the area because of the
interesting species present, and the excellent
access to the lake and wetlands.
There are some established recreational uses
of the study areas organised by clubs and
pursued by casual participants. The Huntly Car
Club has a dirt track on the Waikato County
Council land adjacent to Lake Kimihia. The
club organises races on the circuit and is keen
to improve the standard of the track and provide
more facilities. Pony Club riders use the stop bank
adjacent to the northern perimeter drain, and trail
bikes range over the drier land between the
wetlands and the opencast.
Land Adjacent to the Study Area
The study area lies within Waikato County,
but the boundary of Huntly Borough is just to
the west of the western perimeter drain.
Outside the limits of the original Lake
Kimihia and to the south-west of the opencast, the
land is zoned residential, and homes are situated
along the low ridge overlooking the opencast.
Elsewhere farms on rolling hills surround the
opencast, remnant lake and low lying wetlands
of the original Lake Kimihia.