Water level great for Easter

By Robert Muir

Apr 3, 2024

Happy with the level of water in the Murray River over Easter for locals and visitors was Federation Council deputy mayor Shaun Whitechurch. Photo by Les_Garbutt

With the water level perfect, there was plenty of activity on the river and lagoon near the old John Foord Bridge over Easter, starting early this day, Easter Saturday with fishing canoeing, boating, jumping from the rope and swimming. In the lagoon were Udo Vurkanbt from Adelaide and Henry Hegan of Melbourne. Of the water level, Henry said: **“It’s never been better! We love coming here.”** Photo by Les_Garbutt

The Murray River’s water level in Corowa over Easter was great – exactly what Federation Council was hoping to have achieved.

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Unfortunately the level could not be sustained following Easter with the predicted rain during the school holidays.

Pre Easter discussions between council’s Mayor Pat Bourke, deputy mayor Shaun Whitechurch and Cr Sally Hughes, and MDBA’s senior river operations team centred around water levels at the busiest crowd times in Corowa.

Cr Whitechurch raised the matter at council’s latest monthly meeting, on March 26. “In those discussions, the MDBA agreed, where possible, to manage the flow of water for Corowa between both weirs over the tourist times,” Cr Whitechurch told council.

Mayor Bourke said he appreciated the talks with MDBA representatives. “It’s not about getting more water or less water, but having a satisfactory level at our busiest times,” he said.

“We totally understand MDBA’s situation and thank them for their consideration.”

Then last Saturday, Easter Saturday, witnessing the water level, the deputy mayor said: “Following discussions with adjoining councils, it culminated in a meeting with the MDBA where concerns were aired and a full understanding of the whole subject was gained,” he told The Free Press.

“To see Australia Day and Easter with high water levels was simply amazing for the town and district.”

Cr Whitechurch concluded with his trademark saying: “Build it and they will come.”

By Robert Muir

Journalist