Rain welcome

More rain during the next few months will be essential for ‘substantial’ increases in Wimmera reservoir volumes.

That is the assessment from regional water managers who, with communities across the region, have welcomed regular rain-bearing weather fronts to catchment areas during the past few weeks.

Gwmwater resources manager Kym Wilson was optimistic about rising water levels based on ‘good’ rain totals over the catchments.

“However, we will need more rain before we see any substantial volumes flowing into our reservoirs,” he said.

“In 2019 we saw upper Wimmera River run for the first time in many years and we are optimistic we will see this flow again, given the good start to the season.”

Mr Wilson, who has previously spoken about the positive impact of the Wimmera-mallee Pipeline in regional water management, again pointed to the value of the far-reaching system.

“After 10 years of operation, the Wimmeramallee Pipeline has secured water supply for the region,” he said.

“However, the nature of our reservoir system is such that it relies on wetter years to boost volumes in storage to see us through the drier times.

“Gwmwater will continue to monitor and assess the impact of climate change in our longterm planning.”

Mr Wilson said all pipeline-supplied recreation lakes had received top-ups during the past year, along with Green Lake near Horsham.

He said inflows during winter and spring would determine what top-ups might be available moving forward.

He added that ‘smaller’ recreation lakes and weir pools supplied through Gwmwater’s pipeline networks would continue to receive supply.

Gwmwater has allowed for up to 3500 megalitres for all pipeline lakes supplied via the Grampians and the Murray River for 2020-21. Allowance for this supply regime varies annually.

Gwmwater is responsible for providing 15 percent of Victoria with piped supply.

Grampians-supplied rural pipelines, including an East Grampians Rural Pipeline to be completed in 2022, will be responsible for watering 11 percent of the state.

Gwmwater also administers a Northern Mallee Pipeline, which accesses Murray River water.

Mr Wilson said preliminary network design for the East Grampians Rural Pipeline would be available soon, following the appointment of Wangaratta-based contractor, Dunstans.

On completion, the pipeline will provide a reticulated water supply to up to 1500 rural properties across an area of 330,000 hectares in Ararat, Great Western and Buangor districts, east to Eurambeen-streatham Road and south to the Glenelg Highway.

The Grampians system’s reservoirs were 34.29 percent full before Gwmwater collected a new set of weekly readings today.

The region’s primary supply reservoir, Lake Bellfield near Halls Gap, was at 68 percent and transfer reservoir Taylors Lake at 43 percent.

The largest impoundment, Rocklands Reservoir, was at 28 percent.