Water levels in the Wimmera River at Horsham will drop over the coming weeks as the health of the waterway's upper and lower reaches is managed.
Horsham Rural City Council (HRCC) will this week lower the Horsham Weir Pool, sending much needed water downstream where salinity is on the rise.
HRCC manages the Horsham Weir based on direction from Wimmera Catchment Management Authority.
HRCC Infrastructure Director John Martin said there would be no new flows available from Lake Lonsdale or Taylors Lake until both reservoirs recovered from blue-green algae outbreaks.
"In Horsham we've so far this summer had good water levels compared with other areas of the catchment. This was managed so that water levels were suitable for the Fishing Competition," Mr Martin said.
"But residents will soon notice the levels change when we lower the weir," he said.
Acting Wimmera CMA CEO Luke Austin said balancing the health and the recreational values of the Wimmera River was a priority. Hindmarsh Shire Council is also releasing water from the Dimboola wierpool.
"Once the blue-green algae has dissipated in Taylors Lake, we may release a fresh flow that will top up weir pools and again freshen up the lower Wimmera River," Mr Austin said.
"Hopefully, beyond that, we will have some rain and natural flows. It's been very dry, so we will take a conservative approach," he said.
