Edenhope and District Historical Society wrote to council to find out if there were options to stop declining water levels in the town's lake.

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Society secretary Geoff Langsworth said the lake was a major talking point in Edenhope.

"When it was full, and it hasn't been in 20 years, it created a lot of interest with boating, skiing, yachts and canoeing," he said.

"It was a major economic benefit to Edenhope."

At a meeting on Thursday, Cr Bruce Meyer said council was not responsible for the lake and water. It was only responsible for the foreshore.

"I don't understand why people don't understand this," he said.

"The reality is it's totally and utterly outside our jurisdiction."

Cr Meyer said the society needed to speak to GWMWater and the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority.

Mayor Ron Hawkins said council sent a deputation to GWMWater a few years ago about the issue.

"I don't think any more deputations will give us any more results. We should leave the situation as is," he said.

Cr Warren Wait said if council wanted people living in the towns, there needed to be water.

"What we can do is keep the drain clear so water runs into the lake," he said.

"The idea of getting a pipeline is expensive and out of the question.

"When it comes down to it, we just need rain."

Mr Langsworth said if it didn't rain in spring, when the temperature warmed up, water would evaporate from the lake.

"It's a repetitive system that relies on rain in winter," he said.