Rethinking Reservoirs

Monday, February 18th, 2019

Lowering Water Levels

As a result of Korumburra, Poowong, Loch and Nyora’s water supply now being provided by the Lance Creek Water Connection, the four reservoirs that once supplied the townships are no longer connected to the system.

South Gippsland Water is currently working with community and stakeholders to explore a range of possibilities and themes for the future use of the four sites.

In the meantime, South Gippsland Water continues to complete maintenance and dam safety monitoring at Ness Gully, Belleview Creek, Coalition Creek and Little Bass.

Managing Director Philippe du Plessis said, “As part of our management process, we are currently lowering the water levels in all four reservoirs.”

“Lowering the water level serves a number of important management requirements,” Mr du Plessis highlighted. “It mimics the drop in water level that would have resulted from drier seasonal conditions and, until recently, the drawdown of water to supply townships over summer.”

The lowering of levels will prepare the reservoirs for autumn, winter and spring rainfall and allows South Gippsland Water to attend to dam wall maintenance and other structural works to meet operational and safety requirements.

“This is a carefully planned process and we will continue to monitor and adapt water levels in all four reservoirs as the seasons progress,” confirmed Mr du Plessis.

The focus of the discussions held by South Gippsland Water with the Rethinking Reservoirs community and stakeholder group has been the planning process associated with future capital works.

‘We are keen to ensure that consideration is given not only to the future use of the four sites but that there is a clear understanding of required works to achieve an acceptable balance between community preference, regulatory requirements and cost.”

Coalition Creek Reservoir