THE Wimmera’s water storages are set to receive the best in-flows in three years after a wet weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Parts of the region received more than 50 millimetres in the past week.
GWMWater water resources manager Andrew Barton said all the region’s storages levels were now greater than anytime last year.
He said it was a sign the region was recovering from the drought.
“We should see about 15,000 megalitres going into the storages this week,” he said.
“Bellfield received 50 millimetres of rain in the past few days and Wartook received 67 millimetres.
“All the major storages are filling up.”
Dr Barton said the region hadn’t seen a wet season like this since 2013.
“We now have water secured for the year ahead,” he said. “These inflows will benefit the region for the next few years.”
Dr Barton said rivers were also running throughout the region and there were in-flows into Green Lake and Toolondo Reservoir.
“The two lakes only have small natural catchments but there is water running in at both locations,” he said.
“Everyone is getting good things out of this wet weather.”
In the past week, Apsley has received 69 millimetres of rain and Edenhope has received 49.8 millimetres.
Stawell received 34mm, Warracknabeal received 20.1mm and Horsham received 23.4mm.
Natural flows in the Wimmera River have reached Jeparit for the first time in four years.
Jeparit Angling Club president Rick Day said residents had already headed straight to the river to wet their fishing lines.
“It’s magic isn’t it?” he said. “To have this fresh water come through just puts everyone on a real high.”
Mr Day said a few weeks ago the angling club was discussing the possibility that next year’s annual Easter fishing competition would not go ahead.
“Having this natural flow fill our river means the angling club can start planning next year’s event with confidence it will be going ahead,” he said.
“This will put money back into our town, not only during the event but with what we raise for community projects.”
He said the flow-on effect of a full river would benefit the entire region.
Wimmera Catchment Management Authority data shows the natural flow peaked at 468 megalitres a day at Lochiel last week.