Aratiatia Dam spills resume

The opening of the spillway at Aratiatia Rapids, near Lake Taupo, will resume more than a week after a group of swimmers were caught in the flow, killing one.

Spills from the dam released for tourist viewings were halted after 21-year-old Rachael De Jong was swept away by the rushing water on Waitangi Day.

De Jong and a group of four friends were standing on a rocky outcrop while water from the dam upstream was released.

De Jong was caught in the 80,000 litres per second current and was found dead by rescue workers later that day.

Mercury Energy confirmed on Friday morning the tourist spillway will resume .

‘‘Please, at all times, stay out of the Aratiatia Rapids - it’s not a place to swim or be in the water,’’ Mercury chief executive Fraser Whineray said in a statement.

Signs are posted warning of danger and sirens blare at intervals before each release.

Mercury has reviewed the spillway procedure and said no changes were required.

The Department of Conservation, Waikato Regional Council Harbourmaster and Taupo District have also assessed the spillway.

The spillway is opened daily for tourists and can open at any time for operational reasons.

Tourist spills occur at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and in summer at 4pm.