The Murray-Darling Basin Authority, in conjunction with Goulburn-Murray Water, has announced that the refilling of Lake Mulwala has begun as of July 8.

 

Inflows upstream of Yarrawonga Weir will be partially captured over the coming weeks to gradually raise the lake by about 15 cm per day. At this stage, it is anticipated the lake will reach 124.7 m AHD by early August, in readiness for the irrigation season.

 

The immediate raising of the lake level means that irrigation channels can also begin filling as early as mid-July.

 

Lowering of the lake was successful in controlling the invasive aquatic weed Egeria densa by exposing it to the air.

 

The lowering began on 27 April 2011, reaching a low point of 121.86 m AHD on 19 June 2011.