Exceptionally high rainfall overnight prompted emergency openings of Painkalac Creek and Anglesea River mouths to avoid localised flooding.
Surf Coast Shire Council Community Emergency Management, Civil Operations and Environment staff worked through the early hours of this morning, after more than 115 mm of rain fell unexpectedly in the Anglesea and Aireys Inlet catchments.
Council staff opened the Painkalac Creek mouth at approximately 5am this morning and the Anglesea River about 11 am, with Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) informed of the action.
Weather forecasts and estuary levels are regularly monitored. Planning for an estuary opening is usually undertaken in collaboration with CCMA, with decisions supported by scientific risk assessment and modelling.
The accompanying clip shows a swarm of short-finned eels congregating at the mouth of the Painkalac Creek looking for a way out prior to the opening of the estuary. The eels are ready to start their journey to the Coral Sea near New Caledonia where they spawn.
You can find more information on estuary management at https://ccma.vic.gov.au/what-we-do/waterway-management/estuary-management/ or by calling Council on 5261 0600.
