Anyone planning on boating or floating at any of the region’s water storages needs to take care, warns Goulburn-Murray Water ahead of the Thursday, January 26 public holiday.
The forecast for the next few days is for maximums in the mid to high 30s, and with many people planning on taking the Friday off — turning the weekend in to an extra long one — G-MW expects its water storages will be heaving.
The water authority said more than 14,000 vehicles passed through the entrance gates of its water storages — which include Lake Eildon and Waranga Basin — on January 26 last year.
G-MW Water Storage Services general manager Martina Cusack said people should anticipate busier than usual conditions when planning their trips this year, with lots of its storages and waterways close to being full.
“It is always great to see people enjoying our storages, but it is also important people account for busy conditions when they make their plans,” she said.
“If you are camping, you may not get a camping spot where you usually would, so have some alternative locations in mind when you head off.
“If you are planning on taking your boat out on the water, be mindful that there will be a lot of other boaters and swimmers around.”
Boating Victoria has live cameras allowing people to view conditions at boat ramps at several storages, including Lake Eildon, Cairn Curran and Lake Boga.
To view these camera feeds, head to https://www.boating.vic.gov.au/ramps/
G-MW has a recreational areas by-law that governs recreational use of its managed land and waterways.
“The by-law serves not only to ensure the safety of the people visiting our storages, but also to protect the locations themselves,” Ms Cusack said.
“The by-law controls for littering, campfires, removing vegetation and more. Officers will be enforcing the by-law and people who are found in breach risk facing a hefty fine.”
The by-law and a full list of its provisions can be found at https://www.g-mwater.com.au/recreation