The gradual lowering of Lake Mulwala to control an invasive waterweed and undertake necessary infrastructure maintenance will begin in the week commencing 3 May, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) confirmed today.
MDBA acting Executive Director of River Management, Dr Andrew Kremor said which day the lake level would start to drop would depend on how much rain fell in the coming days.
“The water is expected to gradually drop by five metres below the normal lake level over the next four to six weeks, exposing Egeria densa weed to the air and winter frosts,” Dr Kremor said.
“The best time for us to do this work is during winter, when irrigation and recreational activities are at their quietest.
“We’d like to thank the community for their cooperation in our efforts to control the waterweed, which has grown increasingly dense since it was last managed four years ago.”
GMW Water Storage Services general manager Martina Cusack said during this time GMW would carry out maintenance under and around the bridge, including pylon inspections, as well as lake retaining wall works and erosion repairs.
“We encourage lake residents and water users who draw water directly from the lake to use this time when the lake level is low to inspect and fix their own infrastructure, such as jetties, boat ramps, retaining walls and pipe intakes,” Ms Cusack said.
“We expect to return Lake Mulwala to its regular operating levels by early August, but there is a chance that rain could inundate some of the low-lying parts of the lake before then.
“Anyone visiting or using the lake is advised to take the usual precautions and be aware of the changing conditions around the lake from early May to August.”
