Lake Lonsdale might just have a future for recreational use under plans released by the board of GWMWater.
The board announced its preferred future operating scenarios for several storages and weirs throughout the Wimmera, following completion of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline project.
Lake Lonsdale was among the storages listed in this region that will remain in use once the pipeline has been completed. However, the storage must rely on natural flow alone to maintain a water level.
The board announced that Lake Lonsdale would operate at a lower level, to facilitate recreation and environmental flows.
The preferred operating scenario for Lonsdale is for the full supply level to be reduced by 0.5 metres. The lake is to be reliant solely on natural run-off inflows, with no transfers from Lake Bellfield.
Preferred operating scenarios were also released for Lake Bellfield and Lake Fyans.
The preferred operating scenario for Bellfield is that the lake be operated to a full level as a primary source for the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Supply Systems one to four.
Lake Fyans will be operated at a lower target level, consistent with viable recreation amenity and current urban requirements.
GWMWater recognises that Lake Fyans is required for supply to Ararat, Stawell, Great Western and some recreational use.
Glenorchy Weir is to be operated for community purposes.
GWMWater managing director Jeff Rigby said the decisions made by the board followed extensive investigation and modelling of a broad range of operational scenarios for these reservoirs and assets, guided by the Reservoirs Review Stakeholder Working Group.
The development of these scenarios included consideration of public feedback and submissions received during the consultation phase in late 2007.
Mr Rigby said that the first stage of the process had now been completed for the 32 reservoirs and assets considered under the project, with the preferred operating scenarios for the initial 26 publicly released in April 2008.
``Implementation plans for each of the assets will now be developed in consultation with key stakeholders and will include issues such as future management responsibility,'' Mr Rigby said.
``One of the key outcomes from this review is that should low rainfall conditions continue, it will only be possible to maintain lakes required for water supply purposes.
``For example, Green Lake is recognised as having been an important community asset under historic rainfall conditions. However, the future supply to Green Lake is only likely in wetter periods.''
For this reason, GWMWater intends to work actively with the community to maximise recreation opportunities at lakes such as Taylors Lake which is more assured of receiving a supply into the future.
The strategy will be reviewed after five years to assess initial experiences with the operation of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.
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