Being a resident in Donald and district for about 37 years, I have always been astounded by the water channel system in this area.

Although the channels were great systems of water distribution, there was much wastage through evaporation, leakage and landholders not shutting off feeder channels to dams after filling, etc.

Yet, they still did the job of moving and distributing water.

I have also noticed that recreation lakes such as Lake Wooroonook and Lake Batyo Catyo were filled regularly via these channels as well as a flush of the Richardson River at various times through Donald.

Also the filling of large water storages at Donald.

Now we have the pipeline – a great feat – distributing the water in this region with little or no wastage or contamination.

It seems strange to me that all of a sudden water is no longer available for Lake Batyo Catyo, a great recreational centre, and that none is being sent to Guthrie’s Weir via the Richardson River through Donald, giving the river an environmental flush thus reducing the odour emanating from this area into the town.

I would also mention that the river looks much better with at least some water in it rather than puddles.

The local anglers are disappointed because the river is no longer fit for fishing, particularly when native fish stocking took place recently.

The current state of the Richardson River is an environmental disaster.

My question is, if years ago water could be supplied to these areas, taking into consideration the wastage and seepage taking place, why is water not available to these areas now when there is little or no loss via the pipeline?

Where is the spare water?

The Richardson River needs and deserves environmental water available from the savings generated from the pipeline.

Why must our river die, along with the thousands of native plants and animals that survive off it?

Bob Robertson, Donald