First time visitors to the Mackenzie Country will be amazed by the network of water canals that cross the land and include two salmon farms. These are part of the Waitaki power scheme which provides 30% of New Zealand's electricity needs. This all starts at Lake Tekapo, and is channelled along 58 kilometres of canals, through eight power stations, and four manmade lakes.
Construction of this massive project began in 1938 and was completed in 1985, with the building of the Benmore dam: the largest earth moving project ever under taken in New Zealand. The influx of workers increased the size of Tekapo Village, and created the town of Twizel. However, once the workers left, both places became populated by holiday makers and tourism businesses, and now attract many visitors in both winter and summer. The towns are also 'service' centres for the large sheep stations that surround the lakes.