Arnold River Dam Walk

Start from the Arnold Power Station on Stratford Road, off Arnold Valley Road, about 12 km north of the Moana township. The track first passes the hydro electric power station. Crossing the Arnold River on part of the pipe structure that carries water to the power house, the track branches right. Soon it enters a stand of grand kahikateamiro-rimu forest adjacent to the river. The track climbs to the top of a terrace that is bordered by a sharp u-bend in the river, and the pipeline taking water to the power house passes underneath. The forest was cut over long ago, but some notable trees remain, including multi-trunked rimu and some good sized totara and rata. From the upstream side of the terrace there is a dramatic view down over the dam that diverts part of the river flow into the tunnel below the viewpoint. Water birds may be spotted in the small lake above the dam, adding to the abundant birdlife commonly enjoyed along the walk. The track continues to wind around the terrace before descending to the river crossing point again.