Upper Nihotupu Reservoir Picnic Area - Waiatarua

Always great here, seavers Camp is a historic camp site, used during the construction of the dam and named after the camp cook 'Caroline Seaver'

Still a great walk to do again and again.

Toilet and good seating area, great walk over old tram tracks

Such a tranquil spot. I love it here

Nice easy walk. Sheltered picnic area at the bottom.

Small spot next to train track. Short walk distance from the dam so worth going there if you planned a picnic

Beautiful view to Piha from the top of the dam.Picnic area a nice place to rest sometime. A nice day out trail with kids . Easy walk under medium shade some areas ..Good one hour walk one way

The Waitakere Ranges Water Supply System taps into the resources of these ranges in West Auckland and its Huia, Nihotupu and Waitakere streams. A series of five large dams were constructed throughout the 20th century. These created the reservoirs, and associated tramways, piping, tunnels, filter stations, and other structures were also built in order to facilitate access to the water catchment and create a gravitational water supply into Auckland.A good water supply is essential to human existence. Early historical accounts show a marked improvement in health after a piped water supply was introduced to Auckland City from Western Springs in 1877. Financial stringency delayed the water from the Waitakere ranges being supplied to Auckland until 1902 when the first temporary supply was introduced. Severe water shortages and deterioration of the quality of Western Springs water forced Auckland City Council to act. From that time, progressive development of the water resources of the Waitakere Ranges continued to keep up with population growth, not only of Auckland, but also with demands from surrounding districts.Auckland is very fortunate to have two upland catchment areas, the Waitakere Ranges and the Hunua Ranges, where rainfall is higher than at lower levels and much of the water could gravitate to the City without pumping. The Waitakere water supply followed by supplies from the Hunua Ranges and more recently from the Waikato River has undoubtedly contributed enormously to the wealth and prosperity of the Auckland region. The system’s main structures are the dams which are still in use:Waitakere Dam (completed 1910)Upper Nihotupu Dam (completed 1923)Upper Huia Dam (completed 1929)Lower Nihotupu Dam (completed 1948)Lower Huia Dam (completed 1971)Concrete gravity dams characterise the first three, while the latter are earth dams. The Waitakere Dam was among the first large scale concrete dams in New Zealand, and the Lower Nihotupu Dam was the country’s first earth dam.