GWMWater

River diverters update

Wimmera River diverters (below Glenorchy weir)

The trigger which permits Wimmera River surface water licence holders below Glenorchy Weir to access 100% of their licence volume was met mid-August 2026. As of 24 August 2026, Wimmera River surface water licence holders below Glenorchy Weir are permitted to access up to 100% of their irrigation or commercial licence volume for the 2026-27 year.

Wimmera River trigger rules

Trigger 1

Licenced irrigators may take 50% of their licenced volume through an approved meter when: A minimum of 8,000 ML has flowed through the Glenorchy gauging station between May and August of the calendar year.

Trigger 2

Licenced irrigators may take 100% of their licenced volume through an approved meter when: a minimum of 10,000 ML has flowed through the Glenorchy gauging station at any time during the calendar year.

Avoca River diverters (below Charlton weir)

The trigger which allows Avoca River surface water licence holders, downstream of Charlton Weir, to access water under their irrigation or commercial licence has not been met.

As of 20 July 2026, Avoca River diverters are permitted to irrigate during the 2026/27 year.  A reminder to irrigators to self-report their take by completing this form and return it to GWMWater.

Avoca River trigger rules

Rules to determine if a 'take and use' allocation can be allowed

The rules to determine if a 'take and use' allocation can be allowed are:

A flow rate of at least 100 ML/day must be recorded at the Quambatook South flow gauge, and river flow must have reached Lake Bael Bael, before water can be extracted for irrigation or commercial purposes. Once water has reached Lake Bael Bael and there is adequate flow in the river to allow irrigation, diversions can commence.