Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) has confirmed that interference with gates at Lake Boga on Monday night saw 450 ML of water, intended for farmers and communities downstream, disappear into the dry lake bed of Lake Boga.
G-MW has referred the matter to the police, with the water valued at more than $130,000 and repair works likely to cost several thousands of dollars.
According to G-MW General Manager Operations, Ian Moorhouse, Lake Boga, south of Swan Hill, is currently not part of the irrigation network and is filled by spill-over flows from the Murray and Avoca rivers. With ongoing drought and no spill over flows, the gates at the northern end of Lake Boga are closed and the Little Murray Weir pool and connecting channel are acting as a storage for water destined for down stream customers.
"In such a dire season we are appalled by this criminal act and will continue to assist the police with their investigations," said Mr Moorhouse
The interference involved removing the locks on two of the three doors using cutting equipment and a trench was dug through an earthen bank to allow water to flow from the Little Murray Weir pool into the dry lake. New locks were attached in what appears to be an attempt to prevent the response team from closing the doors.
"We are at a loss to understand how anyone could think these actions would improve the situation for recreational users or the environment," said Mr Moorhouse.
G-MW estimates the lake would require at least 20,000 ML of water before boating and other recreational activities are possible, and there is no water to sustain any fish or water life that may have been carried through with the released water.
Mr Moorhouse said the community recognised that the unauthorised access of water and interference with the irrigation network was not stealing water from G-MW but from local farmers, the environment and local communities.
"The interference was not only futile - it also inconvenienced downstream users and directly impacted on the resources available to Murray system customers," said Mr Moorhouse.
The Mid-Murray Storage Project, currently underway and expected to be completed over the next 3 seasons, will see Lake Boga become part of the irrigation network. As a result, and under more-normal seasonal conditions, water levels at Lake Boga will be normally maintained at or above the levels required for boating and recreation.
"We recognise that our existing 17 water storages are important to regional tourism and the local environment. With Lake Boga's inclusion into the irrigation network, we will work with local stakeholders to develop operating and management rules that support local recreational, tourism and environmental needs where ever we can," said Mr Moorhouse.
The amount of water released into Lake Boga covered approximately 200 hectares or around 20% of the Lake Boga lake bed, and is expected to be dried up within days.
Mr Moorhouse urged members of the community to report any information they may have regarding this illegal interference at Lake Boga to G-MW on 1800 064 184 (24 hours) and this can be done anonymously.
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Media Contact: Linda Nieuwenhuizen
Position: Manager Stakeholder Relations
Telephone: 03 5833 5776 or 0412 183 792