Lake Lonsdale - GWMWater

Water levels

Recreational activities permitted

Features & Facilities

Seasonal activities permitted

Current

15%

Last year

45%

Overview

Lake Lonsdale is a large, shallow reservoir on the Mt William Creek. It fills from its own catchment and is reliant on natural inflows. Although the catchment can be a substantial producer of water during wet years because of its very large area, it isn't reliable during times of drought. Given its relatively shallow depth, the lake also has high evaporation losses over summer months.

Since the introduction of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, the lake is no longer used by GWMWater for domestic or stock water supply, however it's still a key source of water for the environment. Lake Lonsdale also has an important role in the community as a recreational lake in the Stawell area, hosting a number of activities on its northern side, such as boating, swimming, camping and water skiing.

Find reservoir levels and other information at Storage Manager

View data at Storage Manager

Helpful Information

Boating
- all boats must be launched from boat ramps

Camping
- in designated areas only (not in sandbar area)
- long-term camping (8+ weeks) needs to be approved by the Patrol Officer

Camp fires
- allowed in designated fireplaces
- not permitted on Total Fire Ban days or when the wind is strong enough to carry embers

Portable generators
- must be within 10 metres of your own tent and closer to your tent than anyone else’s
- don't put them in long grass as they can start fires!

Duck shooting
- Shooting of ducks is permitted during duck season, subject to seasonal restrictions.

Dogs
- must be under control at all times and tethered at night

Vehicles
- must keep to the obvious tracks
- speed limit 10 km/h within foreshore (except on gravel and bitumen roads)
- not permitted on the beach or sand unless launching a boat