General News
24 February, 2023
Lake visitors 'spoilt for choice'
Water-lovers are enjoying a bumper summer across the region, with Grampians storages holding their highest volumes in more than 20 years. Recreational users have access to about 400,000 megalitres of water, boosted steeply by heavy rainfall in local...
Water-lovers are enjoying a bumper summer across the region, with Grampians storages holding their highest volumes in more than 20 years.
Recreational users have access to about 400,000 megalitres of water, boosted steeply by heavy rainfall in local catchments throughout spring.
Significant inflows to Rocklands Reservoir enabled a transfer of 25,000 megalitres to Toolondo from early November after the reservoir surpassed 116,000 megalitres in October.
GWMWater managing director Mark Williams said lake users are "spoilt for choice" this summer.
“Boat ramp upgrades at Lake Fyans, Lonsdale and Rocklands, along with the current water levels at each, are providing an improved experience to users,” Mr Williams said.
“Fyans in particular has been popular with anglers using the new three-lane boat ramp and channel.”
Shane Young, owner of Stawell Tackle and Marine, said feedback from the community about the boat ramp and marina works at Lake Fyans was overwhelmingly positive.
“The boat ramp looks great and is very usable," Mr Young said. "It’s nice to see upgrades to the facilities at the lakes in our area.
“Now that Lake Lonsdale has a bit more water in it, we're seeing 30-40 boats out there on a weekend.”
Mr Williams said other reservoirs such as Moora Moora, Bellfield and Taylors Lake were also worth a visit.
“There’s also a plethora of pipeline-supplied lakes throughout the Wimmera and Mallee – Tchum Lake at Birchip, Green Lake at Sea Lake, Donald Caravan Park Lake – which have benefitted from some natural inflow and are in excellent condition.”
As well, the newly opened Rainbow Recreational Lake has attracted much local interest.
Mr Williams said visitors to reservoirs could use GWMWater’s website to check which activities were permitted at each lake and should observe all boating rules and exclusion areas.
Rangers and Victorian Water Police would ensure these rules were followed, he said.