And the 80-year-old has photographic evidence of the lake in the grip of water woes far worse than today's dramatic low levels.

Mrs McCoy had her photo taken in front of an almost dry Lake Wendouree when she was 21.

"I can't remember the exact date but it was either just before Christmas 1945 or around New Year's 1946," she said.

"I know because of the outfit I have got on in the photo. I made it for my 21st birthday which was on August 29, 1945.

"I knitted the top and made the skirt."

Mrs McCoy said the photo was taken at the edge of the lake, opposite the entrance to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

"It was so low."

Mrs McCoy said it wasn't just the lake's low levels which had stuck in her memory.

"There were so many squirrels. I said to my fiance then - catch me one and I will make a coat. Furs were all the go then," she laughed.