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DESPITE another series of drier months than average, Goulburn-Murray Water says farmers to Bendigo’s west can expect full shares of allocated water in the 2015/16 year.
The corporation is predicting water shares will reach 99 per cent this season in its Loddon system, even if the forecast dry spring and summer eventuates.
G-MW manager water resources Mark Bailey said customers did not need to worry about water levels for the coming 12 months.
“It’s important to stress we have more than enough water to meet demand for farmers, the urban water authorities, industry and residents, the environment and recreational users in the 2015/16 season,” he said.
“We encourage farmers to seek professional advice and start thinking about options such as carryover, access to groundwater and water trading to maximise water available.”
Bureau of Meteorology data showed Wedderburn received 28.6 millimetres of rain in July – a full 10 millimetres below the long-term average.
Surrounding areas also received far below the long-term average during winter.
Dr Bailey said storage levels in reservoirs and other catchments will be noticeably lower in the coming months.
“Now the irrigation season has started, and warmer, drier weather conditions drive up demand from towns and the environment, the community may notice levels at these storages will start falling,” he said.
“At G-MW, we saw very low inflows in many of our storages during March and April.
“The 2015/16 seasons has started with similarly low inflows.”
G-MW has also sought to ease concerns about recreational use in Lake Eppalock, where water levels are down to 44 per cent, compared with 74 per cent this time last year.
At 16 per cent, boat speed is restricted to five knots and there is limited access to boat ramps.
Dr Bailey said the lake could still attract visitors, despite low water levels.
“Even though the water levels at our storages may start falling if inflows remain low, it is still a great spot to fish, boat, swim and enjoy the recreational facilities that G-MW provides at no cost at most of our storages,” he said.
