HEAVY rain has seen Ballarat’s Lake Wendouree fill and spill for the first time in almost a decade.The lake is currently 75 millimetres above full and the water will gradually be released into the Yarrowee River via the overflow on the eastern shore of the lake.This water traditionally provides a valuable environmental flow to the Yarrowee River.The lake reached capacity yesterday afternoon and began to spill via the overflow outlet shortly after.Filling and spilling is considered important environmentally for the lake and will help ensure its water quality.Water was also overflowing onto the banks in some areas, creating an extra habitat for the birdlife.The front of North Gardens Reserve was submerged while water had covered sections of Wendouree Parade, including outside Loreto College. Trees had also fallen around the lake, blocking sections of the road as council workers made their away around the parade cleaning up debris.Stormwater diversions from the Redan and Paul’s Wetlands were turned off earlier this week.The last time the lake spilled was in 2002.