Water Storage Levels
Last Updated 08/06/2024
| Current Volume | 3011674 |
|---|---|
| % of Capacity | 90.33 |
| Capacity (ML) | 3334158 |
| 95.7%
| 93.0%
| 91.1%
| 90.2%
| 90.3%
|
| Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
|---|
- Historical water levels for Eildon
Recreational Facilities
Facts & Figures
| Name | Lake Eildon |
|---|---|
| Stream | Goulburn and Delatite Rivers |
| Year of Completion | 1956 |
| Construction | Earth and Rockfill |
| Full Supply Level | 288.9 m AHD |
| Capacity | 3,334,158 ML |
| Area Submerged | 13,832 ha |
| Main Embankment Length | 1,085 m |
| Main Embankment Height | 84.5 m |
| Hydro-electric Generation | 135 MW |
Current Eildon Alerts
Managing water levels at Lake Eildon
Thursday 6 June 2024
GMW is closely monitoring Lake Eildon’s catchment conditions and rainfall forecasts to update storage inflow projections and make decisions about rele...
Scheduled maintenance of the Jerusalem Creek Barge
Wednesday 8 May 2024
GMW wishes to advise the Jerusalem Creek Sanitation Barge is temporarily closed to undertake scheduled maintenance. GMW has engaged the contract ...
Lake Eildon power station maintenance
Thursday 2 May 2024
GMW has begun releasing water through Lake Eildon’s spillway to allow maintenance works to be undertaken on the power station.
Public consultation on houseboat regulations
Friday 12 April 2024
Public consultation on the Water (Lake Eildon Recreation Area) (Houseboats) Regulations is now open.
About Lake Eildon
There is currently a blue-green algae warning for Lake Eildon. Click herefor more information.
Location
Lake Eildon is located on the Goulburn River in its upper catchment, immediately below the junction with the Delatite River.
History
Harnessing the river catchments in the vicinity of the present Lake Eildon began in the early 1900s. Development of this water resource was undertaken by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission (SR&WSC) to provide irrigation water for what was a vast uncultivated area on Victoria's northern plains. This region has since developed into the largest area of irrigated farmland in Australia and is known as the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District (GMID).
Construction of the original storage, which was known as Sugarloaf Reservoir, took place between 1915 and 1929. It was modified in 1929, and again in 1935 to increase the storage capacity to 377,000 ML. However, this reservoir was still limited in its capacity to meet the growing demand for water in the Goulburn Valley and to protect farmers during drought years.
Following a detailed feasibility study of all possible storage sites on the Goulburn River, it was decided that the existing dam site was the most suitable for construction of a larger dam. In 1951, work began to enlarge the storage to its present capacity (3,334,158 ML) which is six times the size of Sydney Harbour. The enlargement was completed in 1955 and the storage was renamed Lake Eildon.
The enlargement plans also considered Victoria's electricity needs. The original 15 MW hydro-electric generation capacity at the Sugarloaf Reservoir was increased to 120 MW through the installation of two 60 MW turbines. The oldest turbines were renovated in 2001 to provide a generation capacity of 135 MW.
Operations
Since construction of Dartmouth Dam, the Goulburn and Murray components of the GMID have been operated separately with regard to water allocations for irrigators. The capacity of Lake Eildon has been designed to allow for irrigation supplies to be provided over at least two drought seasons. Although not intended as a flood control storage, Lake Eildon does have considerable potential to mitigate floods in the Goulburn River, downstream of the storage.
Operation of the power station during the irrigation season (August to May) is governed mainly by release of water to meet irrigation demands, but it may also be operated during winter and spring when flood releases can be used to generate electricity. The power station can also be used to meet short term emergency power needs resulting from industrial disputes or plant breakdown elsewhere in the State's power grid. A 5,200 ML pondage below the dam temporarily detains water discharged from the power station and regulates releases downstream to minimise variations in flow due to intermittent power generation. In 1995 a small hydro-electric station with 4.5 MW output was installed on the pondage.
Eildon storage and flow advisory information phone service
Eildon storageand flow advisory recorded service (03) 5774 3928.
Recreation and Tourism at Lake Eildon
Facilities Available
Large Grassed Area
Car Parking
Boat Ramp
Fishing
Camping
BBQ - Woodfired
Toilets
Please observe all signs and directions around our storages for information on recreational activities. Refer to the Land and On-Water Management Plan (if provided above) for detailed information on the facilities available.
Further Information
Lake Eildon is one of Victoria's most popular holiday resorts. It has 515 km shoreline and stores six times as much water as Sydney Harbour at full supply level. Abutting the lake is the Lake Eildon National Park . Eildon has been a popular holiday destination for many years and is home to a substantial houseboat fleet. In spring and summer, the lake's long quiet reaches and deep waters attract trout fisherman, water skiers and houseboaters. The lake has both public and private harbours where hundreds of craft are moored.
Water sports are very popular at Lake Eildon due to its large surface area and extensive shoreline which is accessible by boat. Common activities include boating, swimming and fishing. Releases from the Snobs Creek Fish Hatchery ensure that the lake is well stocked with trout and other native fish.
Facilities around the lake include caravan parks, camping grounds, motels, houseboat hire and services, picnic areas and public boat ramps.
Lake Eildon recreation guide
Boating Victoria ramp cameras
Boating Victoria ramp camera photos are automatically updated every five minutes. The images are to give an indication of how busy the ramp and carpark may be and are displayed at a resolution not to reveal boat ramp user identities.
These pages also include information such as weather conditions, maps and alerts.
Jerusalem Creek ramp, opens in a new window
Dethridge Point alliance ramp one, opens in a new window
Boat ramp operating levels
| Boat ramp | Operational when storage is above |
|---|---|
| Eildon Alliance Ramp - high level ramp 1 | 59.3% |
| Eildon Alliance Ramp - low level ramp 2 | 26% |
| Eildon Alliance Ramp - low level ramp 3 | 14.9% |
| Jerusalem Creek - public no 1 | 48% |
| Jerusalem Creek - public no 2 | 8.8% |
| Fraser Park - devils cover | 62% |
| Fraser Park - main ramp | 39.4% |
| Fraser Park - lakeside | 11.2% |
| Peppin Point - caravan park ramp 1 | 58.2% |
| Peppin Point - caravan park ramp 2 | 38% |
| Kennedy Point - high level | 56% |
| Kennedy Point - mid level | 43.9% |
| Kennedy Point - low level | 30.4% |
| Bonnie Doon - public ramp no 1 | 84.2% |
| Bonnie Doon - public ramp no 2 | 57.6% |
| Hutchinsons Road - public ramp | 41.6% |
| Hutchinsons Road - lakeside caravan park | 37.9% |
| Hutchinsons Road - low level ramp | 25.47% |
| Goughs Bay - public ramp 1 | 78.5% |
| Goughs Bay - public ramp 2 | 86.7% |
| Goughs Bay - public ramp 3 | N/A |
| Goughs Bay - public ramp 4 | 62.1% |
| Goughs Bay - public ramp 5 | 59.7% |
| Goughs Bay - public ramp 6 | 41.6% |
| Goughs Bay - public ramp 7 | 21.2% |
| Goughs Bay - public ramp 8 | 21.65% |
| Howqua Valley Caravan Park - high level ramp | 62.7% |
| Howqua Valley Caravan Park - low level ramp | 24.3% |
| Jamieson - high level ramp | 78.6% |
Camping & Fires
Fires and camping are not permitted in any area around Lake Eildon, except in the designated camping areas. Unregulated campfires are not only a potential hazard for bushfires, but also pose a risk to water quality along with discarded rubbish from camping activities.To minimize these impacts, Parks Victoria provides defined areas where camping and fires are permitted. Visit the Victorian Park Web websiteor phone 131 963 for further information.
On declared days of Total Fire Ban all solid fuel campfires, portable gas appliances and kerosene lanterns are prohibited.
This includes all gas stoves, gas lights, and gas fridges (including use inside tents). Fixed gas stoves may be used in houseboats with extreme caution. For information on fire and Total Fire Ban requirements Visit the CFA website (Fires & Incidents Warnings & Advice) or phone theVictorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL): 1800 240 667.
For more information visit the Safe Transport Victoria website.
Camping at Delatite Arm Reserve
Information on camping at Delatite Arm Reserve, Lake Eildon.
Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds and Accommodation
For information on local camping grounds, caravan parksand accommodation, please contact the local tourist information centre.
Houseboats and Maintaining Water Quality
Lake Eildon is the only reservoir in Victoria where houseboats and cabin cruisers with sleeping accommodation are permitted. To prevent the risk of water pollution, strict rules regarding sanitation must be observed. Such craft are required to have sewage holding tanks and be licensed by Goulburn-Murray Water. There are sanitation stations for pumping out sewage from the holding tanks of houseboats. Goulburn-Murray Water sanitation barges are located at Point Worner and Jerusalem Creek. Sewage is pumped from these points to on shore treatment systems.It is an offence to discharge sewage or garbage into the Lake .
Visitors are reminded that there are dangers associated with low water levels and areasked to exercise caution and adhere to all safety restrictions.
For more information on Houseboats on Lake Eildon, please visit the Lake Eildon Houseboat webpage.
Jetties
For more information on jettiesplease visit our Foreshore Occupation Licences page.
