A target to decrease Eildon’s water levels to 94 percent by August 1, 2023, has been set by Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW).
As of Tuesday 27 June 2023, Lake Eildon’s current storage level was 97.2 per cent. GMW Water Resources Manager Dr Mark Bailey said GMW will continue to monitor weather and catchment conditions and adjust filling targets and release rates.
“GMW has reduced releases from 12,000ML per day in response to increased tributary flows.
“Releases are currently at 11,000ML per day (as of 27 June 2023) and are likely to resume at 12,000ML per day in the coming days after these tributaries fall.
“These releases are expected to continue through July. Minor adjustments will be made to accommodate any increased inflows downstream of Eildon and to minimise bank erosion.”
Downstream impacts are a key consideration to any releases of water from Lake Eildon, particularly as private land is affected before the minor flood levels are reached.
Due to a wet catchment and rainfall in June, GMW has moved to the wet operating scenario when determining its filling targets, in line with its obligations under the Victorian Water Act 1989.
The new scenario aims to have Eildon full by 1 November instead of 1 October. Target filling points are set to protect the reliability of water entitlements, while offering some flood mitigation.
The current level of Lake Eildon can largely be attributed to the higher-than-average rainfall stemming from three consecutive La Nina events and a negative Indian Ocean Dipole.
Last year (2022) was only the third time since records began in 1900 that a La Nina weather pattern had occurred in three consecutive years. These targets seek to protect the reliability of water entitlements, while offering some flood mitigation.
More information and the latest updates on Lake Eildon can be found at the GMW website: www.g-mwater.com.au/eildon-management.
