Lake Eppalock overflows after heavy winter rain, flooding fears grow
Lake Eppalock has overflowed over 100 per cent full. Heavy winter rain caused this. It is sparking fears of another flood in Rochester.
Lake Eppalock is overflowing. Heavy winter rain pushed the Victorian water storage over full capacity.
This has raised alarm in nearby Rochester. The town suffered devastating floods in October 2022.
The Campaspe River burst its banks. This flooded more than 90 per cent of homes and businesses.
Just 15 months later, more flooding struck again. This happened in late 2023 and early 2024.
It left residents traumatised. Some locals have pushed for the lake to hold less water.
This would happen in late winter and spring. It would create a safety buffer.
Water manager Andrew Shields said current spill volumes are still within the river channel. Officials are watching conditions closely.
However, flood risk assessments suggest a small 10-millimetre rainfall could trigger major inflows. The lake has no spare capacity at this time.
A state MP is now questioning why more water was not released earlier to make room.
- More than 90 per cent
- Homes flooded in 2022
- Over 100 per cent
- Lake capacity reached
- 10 millimetres
- Critical rainfall threshold
- 104 millimetres
- August 2026 rainfall
Why it mattersRochester faces a real risk of another flood. This comes after two devastating events in less than two years. The full dam leaves no safety margin.
AustraliaResidents in Rochester and the broader Campaspe River region of central Victoria are now on alert as winter rain continues across the state.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 9 d ago
