Many locals kept their eyes peeled as the water levels on the lake rose over the last week due to heavy rainfall. The word about town was that the lake could open naturally, but that wasn’t to be the case.

Mallacoota received about 60mm of rain increasing the estuary water level to just under a metre over the last week. 

East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (EGCMA) said it was continuing to monitor the estuary levels, but for a successful  artificial opening to be considered water levels must gauge above 1.5 metres. 

“Ideally, a good rain event will open the entrance naturally, however there have been times in the past when the estuary has been opened artificially. A decision to artificially open the estuary is made by the EGCMA, with the works being undertaken by Parks Victoria.” 

Some locals believe the lake should be opened artificially while others remain firm they can wait for Mother Nature to do her thing. 

A statement released on Monday, February 11 by the EGMCA said local authorities were not currently planning an artificial opening. The statement outlined the importance of taking in physical and environmental risk factors such as fish kill before forcing an opening. 

“In planning an artificial opening, the main physical factors considered are the level of the water in the estuary, the predicted tide levels at sea, the forecast weather conditions and the distance of the sand bench between the beach and the lake.  

“The main environmental factor considered is the oxygen levels in the estuary at the time of the proposed opening to avoid a fish kill.

“A fish kill can can occur if the oxygenated water drains from the top water layers and forces fish into the lower oxygen depleted water.”