A comprehensive evaluation is now under way to determine whether modifying outlet capacity at the storage could improve environmental water delivery, supporting local ecosystems, cultural values and river connectivity.
The Campaspe River Increased Flows Technical Assessment is a collaborative effort led by G-MW in partnership with the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
Funded with up to $1.4 million from the Federal Government under Stage 1B of the Victorian Constraints Measures Program — and administered through the Victorian Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action — the project is scheduled to run through 2027.
For a region so attuned to the movements of water, project leaders are moving quickly to manage expectations.
G-MW Resilient Water Program coordinator Sean Tenace emphasises the initiative is purely exploratory.
“The project will investigate whether changes to outlet capacity at Lake Eppalock could provide environmental benefits and what the potential costs, risks, and impacts might be,” Mr Tenace said.
“No decision has been made to construct infrastructure, change lake levels, or undertake future works.”
G-MW will coordinate the overarching project and engage specialist technical advisers, while the NCCMA will evaluate corresponding river health benefits.
The assessment's primary focus centres on environmental water management ― exploring how altering outlet capacity might improve the timing and delivery of environmental flows to bolster ecological health and cultural outcomes.
Recognising heightened sensitivity around water management in the region, project officials have highlighted the boundaries of the assessment.
G-MW has clarified that CRIFTA is strictly an environmental water project, separate from the Rochester Flood Study.
It is not designed as a flood mitigation project, nor will it investigate lowering Lake Eppalock’s full supply level.
Even so, challenges remain — downstream tributaries and significant inflows during heavy rainfall events remain major factors to contend with.
Adjusting outlet capacities upstream would not eliminate the risk of high water volumes entering the Campaspe system through swollen creeks and downstream flows during severe weather.
However, project organisers note that findings generated through the assessment could help inform future stages of the Rochester Flood Study.
“We recognise the strong community interest in Lake Eppalock, particularly following the challenges Rochester has experienced, and will provide further information as the assessment progresses,” Mr Tenace said.
Any decisions about potential infrastructure investment or construction will be considered separately, once the assessment has been completed in 2027.
