Wimmera Catchment Management Authority has finalised a plan that would increase water flows to the lakes.

Dock Lake – which has a 4430-megalitre capacity – last had water in mid-2015.

Authority chief executive David Brennan said responses to the plan were positive.

“We’ve been looking at the feasibility of getting water back into Dock Lake for the past 12 months,” he said.

“The concept is, when there's enough water in the system, we would be able to run water to Green Lake, then from there to Dock Lake, then from the northern end of the lake into Burnt Creek.

“That water will eventually flow into the Wimmera River near Horsham Showground.”

Mr Brennan said residents raised the idea during consultation for the authority’s regional catchment strategy.

“We spoke to community members during that process and they identified this as a priority,” he said.

“It aligns with our strategy and with community values, so it’s a good outcome.”

Mr Brennan said the plan would provide multiple benefits.

“It will certainly improve the water quality in Green Lake,” he said.

“From a water management perspective, it will be great to put fresh water in one lake, and let the nutrients and water disperse through the system.

”It’s a good outcome for both water quality and health.

“We’ve completed the report now, and it’s just a matter of waiting for decent rainfall.

“The region’s bulk entitlement framework will trigger when it is suitable to put water into Dock Lake itself.

“Basically, when we get a lot more water in storages, we’ll be able to maximise the benefits of the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline and use those savings to create good recreational and water health outcomes.”

Green Lake has 5350-megalitre capacity. GWMWater reported its storage levels at nine per cent – 480 megalitres – last week.