THE WATER level in Toolondo Reservoir will soon be a metre higher, with more water flowing into the lake.
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The reservoir received a 5000-megalitre allocation from Rocklands Reservoir earlier this month.
The Toolondo community had been lobbying for years for extra water in the reservoir to boost the area.
GWMWater has now promised an additional 5000 megalitres for Toolondo.
Authority water resources manager Kym Wilson said the extra allocation came after a review of the transfer.
“We looked at the situation after the initial transfer of 5000 megalitres and determined it was appropriate to increase the transfer to 10,000 megalitres,” he said.
“This is consistent with how the lake is tracking compared with the annual operating plan.
“The reservoir is looking better than it does in dry conditions.
“We also have a wet catchment at the moment and water is flowing from Rocklands Reservoir.”
GWMWater started the initial water transfer on August 1.
Mr Wilson said the transfer would now continue until 10,000 megalitres had been added to Toolondo Reservoir.
“We expect the transfer will finish in mid-September,” he said.
Mr Wilson said the extra allocation would mean Toolondo Reservoir’s water level would be one metre higher than it was before the transfer.
“It will mean there is good water levels in Toolondo, which will help it through summer,” he said.
“There will also be less evaporation loss between Rocklands and Toolondo.”
Mr Wilson said the community was pleased with the outcome.
Toolondo spokesman Geoff Stock said the community had been advocating for more water in the reservoir for years.
He said the extra water would benefit anglers and tourism in the region.
Mr Wilson said overall the Wimmera’s storages were looking good after heavy August rain.
“We had about 18,000 megalitres flow into the catchment this week, which is the highest week so far this winter,” he said.
“The rain has certainly helped things along.”
Toolondo Reservoir is currently sitting at 40 per cent full.
Rocklands Reservoir is at 47 per cent.
In the Wimmera-Mallee System Headworks operation plan for 2017-18, it states Toolondo was an important storage for recreational purposes.
The report said the exact volume of any transfer throughout August and September would be determined by seasonal conditions.
“Transfer volumes of 5000mL could be expected under very dry conditions, through to 15,000mL under average or wet scenarios,” the report said.
Water Minister Lisa Neville said the state government knew Toolondo was important for fishing, the community and the economy.
“We've set up processes so water for recreation is valued, and this is a great example of that,” she said.
“We've always supported water for Toolondo and its great to see this transfer securing water levels for some time into the future.
“It’s also good water management as evaporation losses are reduced across the system when Rocklands reaches these levels.”