WATER deliveries to recreational lakes supplied by the rural pipeline system have commenced.
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Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Managing Director, Mark Williams said that the optimum time for filling these lakes is in the low demand season.
"The design of the pipeline assumed that water deliveries for recreation lakes would occur at this time of the year. By commencing supply now we can ensure adequate water levels in the lakes this summer," he said.
The Grampians bulk water supply reservoirs have been steadily rising following rainfall in the catchment during July.
"When the Wimmera Mallee community supported the pipeline, a continued supply to recreation lakes previously filled by the channel system was considered the most important outcome after securing the water supply," Mr Williams said.
"The GWMWater Board has therefore agreed to use current surplus water holdings to underwrite the supply as the recreation water allocation has not yet been secured for this year."
The recreational lakes to receive water are Warracknabeal, Brim and Beulah Weir Pools, Lake Lascelles, Lake Marma, Watchem Lake, Tchum Lake, Donald Park Lake and Wooroonook Lake.
Walkers Lake will also receive water following its connection to the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.
Mr Williams said supply to other water users will not be affected by the decision.
He said on the basis of the current levels in these lakes it is assumed that about 2000 ML will be required to bring the lakes and weirs up to safe levels for recreational use this summer.
"We will work with our Regional Recreation Water Users Group and respective lake committees to fill these lakes in accordance with their watering plans," Mr Williams said.
The nine nominated recreational lakes currently share an entitlement of 2590 ML.
The recently completed Wimmera Glenelg Bulk Entitlement review recommended that this entitlement be increased by 500 ML to meet the anticipated requirements of Walkers Lake and Lake Marma.
The proposed amendments are presently going through a consultative process, with more information on the review recommendations available on the GWMWater website.