WIMMERA Mallee catchments are set to receive their best in-flows for three years following a week of heavy rain through the southern Wimmera and Grampians.
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater) water resources manager Andrew Barton said the majority of the storages managed by the authority had received over 50mm for the week. While official run-off figures are not measured until Wednesday afternoon, Dr Barton said he expected to see 15,000 megalitres or more in in-flows when they were measured.
It is a timely boost to water security in the region. In spite of the wet winter, last week’s readings showed the GWMWater network was just 33.79 per cent of capacity.
Dr Barton said the run-off this week would push that figure above 35pc, and added further run-off could be expected.
“The catchment is obviously primed and running so even small falls will now run.”
He said lakes such as Wartook were filling up nicely.
“There is the chance it could spill if we keep receiving these good falls.”
In good seasons, Dr Barton said September and October could be some of the major months for run-off in the region. The rain has seen the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issue flood warnings on the Glenelg River for the first time since the 2010-11 floods.
Toolondo farmer Simon McKenry received more than 60mm of rain for the week.
“It’s generally going to be confined to the odd low spot of the paddocks, the crop is advanced enough to cope with some water because we had that early start.”
In the far southern Wimmera and the Western District there will be crop losses, but the heaviest of the falls was confined to a relatively narrow strip, running from Edenhope through to the Grampians.
Dr Barton said the tributaries of the Wimmera River such as the Norton and Burnt Creeks, along with the McKenzie River were all running, meaning flows along the Wimmera may reach its terminal point, Lake Hindmarsh.
There is also good news for embattled recreational lakes, with Dr Barton reporting in-flows into Green Lake and Lake Toolondo. Matt Hurse, Moolort, said the current weather conditions couldn’t be better for his 3500 acre mixed-farming operation.
Since the start of the year, his property has received 295mm of rain, an amount that is quite different to this time last year.
From Thursday night to Tuesday morning, Mr Hurse said he received 28mm.
“The rainfall is perfect, not too wet, it’s just enough,” Mr Hurse said. “It’s been a long time since I said that at this time of year.”
