Butcher's Dam

A cold start with snow on the surrounding ranges but the sun was shining and as you can see it was quite calm.

A visit to the museum for hubby while I found out where Butcher's Dam was at the information centre.

Butcher's Dam is part of Flat Top Hill Conservation Area. In 1862, gold was discovered in Butchers Gully (now submerged under Butchers Dam). Water was essential for mining the gold and for survival. European settlers quickly learnt the value of water in the dry Central Otago climate.

A store and butchers shop was set up mid 1865. During 1868, the road between Roxburgh and Alexandra was completed and Butchers Gully Hotel was built. It was later destroyed by fire on 29 January 1886. In May 1890, a replacement hotel was built and successfully managed by a succession of owners, until it was submerged under the Butchers reservoir in 1937.

Butchers Dam and its outlet tunnel (728 metres through solid schist rock) were built between 1935 and 1937 during the great depression in order to create a water reservoir for the nearby town of Alexandra. The dam and race are now only used for irrigation.

It's a wonderful area to explore, plenty of walks and great for photography, I just loved the landscape with its solid schist rock, many formations. If in the area its a must!

After not feeling well last night, I enjoyed sitting by the dam with the sun upon my back and taking in this fabulous view. The rest of the day was spent on the road to our next destination, NZ's adventure playground :)