A record

Wow - for a start I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to be able to post this particular message, because I was being forced to upgrade to the new blogger version, and it was not going well. Still - we are here now.



The news of the day is pretty sad. Last Thursday, the weekly report on Lake Eildon indicated that the level had reached a level lower than it ever had in its 51 year history. A mere 8.45% of its total capacity is now contained behind the massive wall in North-eastern Victoria.

The severity of this situation is hard to communicate without launching into a full history of the lake - but its pretty bad. For a start, the authorities have virtually stopped delivering any water from the lake for irrigation purposes, so there is enough to meet the critical water supply needs the lake supplies. Secondly, Eildon is now being asked to further provide for the needs of towns who's own supply has dried up. For example Lake Eppalock can no longer supply Bendigo, so a project is on the way to supply it with water from Eildon. Thirdly, unless there is serious rain over winter, there is no guarantee of water for next year; Eildon normally sends off around 30% of its capacity each summer/autumn to meet the core needs of the district. It is going to be optimistic to think it might do that next year. Fourth, the last two boat ramps to provide recreational access to the lake are now closed - out of reach of the water. Some people will continue to launch off the bank with their 4wd's, no doubt, but there is now no official way to access the water with a boat. Fifth, more than 75% of the traditional shoreline of the lake is now so high and dry you can't even see the lake. Thus - huge tracts of tourism facilities and private investment properties are now virtually useless, and if this remains the state of affairs for long - soon they will be worthless as well.

This is a very sad news record, and the lake is continuing to drop each day - probably until mid-May. Unless... it rains. Heavily and for long periods. There is a lot of catching up to do.