A STATE yachting event will go ahead on Lake Wendouree this weekend after fears that low water levels would force it to be moved.
The Access Dinghy State Titles will begin with a specialist coaching session on Friday afternoon before a two-day regatta expected to attract up to 25 competitors.
The Jubilee Class State Titles will also be held on the lake on March 9 and 10 after recent heavy rains raised the water levels sufficiently.
Ballarat Yacht Club commodore Paul Crosbie said yesterday he was very pleased the two events would go ahead.
“It gives the Ballarat Yacht Club good exposure within the yachting fraternity,” Mr Crosbie said.
He said the water levels were at 325 millimetres below full after last Thursday’s storms raised the level by 25 millimetres.
“We’ve been monitoring the water levels and it was getting very fine. The (Ballarat City) council has been putting water in but it hasn’t been keeping pace with evaporation.”
Mr Crosbie said last month he was concerned the titles would be moved back to Melbourne after a hot summer and little January rainfall.
Ballarat mayor John Burt said yesterday it was very pleasing the weekend’s events would go ahead.
“I am certain that all competitors will enjoy a great weekend,” Cr Burt said.
He said the lake had received 200 megalitres of bore water since January 7, as well as two megalitres per day of Class A recycled water.
Cr Burt said the lake was 305 millimetres below full on Monday morning.
He also said the course for this weekend’s event had been harvested for weeds, with a further small section to the east of the Ballarat Yacht Club to be cut this week.
fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au