Measures have been taken to ensure the longevity of crucial waterways in the Grampians region.
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Wimmera Catchment Management Authority last month started an environmental flow to the upper Mt William Creek to keep the native fish population alive.
It is only the third time water for the environment has been released into this section of the creek, with previous releases in May 2015 and March 2016 when conditions were similarly dry.
A lack of rain in the region has resulted in the flow being established.
"After consultation with the Stawell community we realised Mt William Creek was getting particularly dry and there were concerns about impacts on the fish population at the creek," Wimmera Catchment Management Authority chief executive David Brennan said.
"We have flowed some water from Lake Fyans and in just a month we have seen an improvement in water quality, a reduction on water temperature and the creation of an extra habitat for fish with an extra volume of water."
Mt William Creek serves a particularly important purpose in the region. It is used as a drought-refuge spot for fish and other wildlife when other waterways, such as Lake Lonsdale, are low.
Lake Lonsdale had a capacity of just 10 per cent as of April 10, putting significant stress on fish and wildlife in that area.
Mr Brennan said any environmental flows out of Lonsdale have been stopped.
"While it remains at the current level our plan is not to release any water out of Lonsdale," he said.
"Basically, we just need rain for Lake Lonsdale. But while we wait for that we continue to see Mt William Creek as a refuge pool for fish in Lonsdale.
"Fish would then have a chance to establish themselves rather than struggling in low-lying Lake Lonsdale."
Northern Grampians Shire Council mayor Kevin Erwin said it is disappointing to see Lake Lonsdale's level so low.
"In some respects we are in the lap of the Gods but we have tried to argue a certain percentage is needed to be kept in the lake in some way or another," he said.
"It is a very popular destination and our figures show it brings in about $1.5 million to the community which is massive. Hopefully we get some rain soon."
Lake Lonsdale Action Group member and Stawell Angling Club President Ray Howard said he believes everything the right steps have been made to maintain the region's waterways.
"A few years ago Lake Lonsdale went dry so I think it is really important there have been alternatives for fish living in it to move to," he said.
"The best has been made from a difficult situation."
The flows are part of the state government's $222 million investment to improve the health of waterways and catchments.
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