Lake Wendouree is full again

LAKE Wendouree user groups are celebrating the city icon's return to its former glory.For almost a decade, groups such as rowing clubs and fishing organisations had watched as the lake, described by many as the heart of Ballarat, slowly dwindled away. The lake had not been full since 2002 and was completely dried out in December 2006 because of prolonged drought.But a combination of hard work from the concerned community and all levels of government - and the fact the region has been inundated with record levels of rainfall in recent months - the lake is more than 75 millimetres above full.This means that rowing, sailing, canoeing and fishing will return sooner than expected. And user groups couldn't be happier.While the Head of the Lake rowing regatta will still be held on the Barwon River at Geelong on March 6 this year, Ballarat Associated Schools executive officer Sharyn Canny is looking forward to organising next year's event for Lake Wendouree."I have been organising this regatta for eight years now, but not once have I organised it for Lake Wendouree," Ms Canny said."A full lake also means school rowers won't have to travel to train for events." In recent years rowers had been forced to travel to Nagambie, Geelong, Melbourne and even Sale to participate in rowing camps and training sessions.Dredging of the lake’s rowing course will also stand Ballarat in good stead to again host state, national and international rowing events.Rowing Victoria director Eric Waller said it was great to see Lake Wendouree again brimming with water. “Once works on the rowing course are complete, Lake Wendouree will be the best rowing course in Australia and will stand Ballarat in good stead for future national and international events,” Mr Waller said.A full Lake Wendouree has brought hope to the Ballarat Yacht Club that it can rebuild its membership base, which fell from almost 400 in 2002 to just 100 last year.Yacht club commodore Brian Canny said he was overjoyed club members would no longer have to travel to participate in their sport.“It has been 15 years since the lake has been totally full and we haven’t sailed on it since 2002. “To have the lake full again is fantastic,” Mr Canny said. The Ballarat Yacht Club plans to resume sailing on the lake in early February.Ballarat businessman Graham Wilkie, who in March last year launched a public campaign to refill the icon, said a full lake would help boost the city’s economy. “We have already had inquiries from Melbourne schools to hold rowing camps at Lake Wendouree,” Mr Wilkie said.“A full lake is not only good for recreational activities and the city’s vibrancy, but has great economic spin-offs for the whole of the city,” Craig Coltman from the Ballarat Fly Fishers Association said Lake Wendouree’s fish population should be replenished by early next year. However, Mr Coltman recommened anglers to limit their catches until the stock matured.