Further lowering of Lake Mulwala to control weed

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority, in conjunction with Goulburn-Murray Water, is planning to further lower the water level in Lake Mulwala over the next two weeks.

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To date, the lowering has been successful in exposing large areas of the invasive aquatic weed Egeria, which is expected to die off in these areas.

The further lowering is to eradicate some remaining areas of the weed, which are still submerged at the current water level of 122.2 AHD. Lowering of the lake by up to an additional 2 m will expose the remaining Egeria to frosts and desiccation.

The expected reduction in Egeria will ensure full recreational use of the lake over the coming tourism season.

The additional lowering of the lake will commence immediately and continue until the end of June. The minimum lake level is likely to be in the range 120.2–121.6 m AHD, depending on further observations.

Refilling of the lake is expected to begin in mid-July, ready for the start of the irrigation season.

Egeria densa, commonly known as dense waterweed, is a non-native weed that has formed dense clumps in Lake Mulwala. Lowering of the lake to kill off the weed has been successful in previous years.

This current plan may be altered in response to weather and river conditions over the coming weeks. If necessary, further updates will be provided in media releases and in the MDBA's Weekly Report.

For more information contact the MDBA Media office at media@mdba.gov.au

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