After a dry start to winter, parts of the Wimmera have received almost double the long-term average for August.

So far this month, Nhill has received 67 millimetres – the average is 38.4 millimetres.

Goroke has had 65.6mm, Stawell 59.8mm and Drung 51.6mm.

Wimmera Catchment Management Authority chief executive David Brennan said the wet weather was setting up the region’s environment for another boom year.

“The upper catchment has started flowing after good rain in the past few days,” he said. “We normally don’t get a lot of inflows at this time of the year.”

Mr Brennan said the rain meant there was good sub-soil moisture in the region. 

“It also means the crops can get a good kick on as well,” he said. “The rain sets us up for another good year.”

Mr Brennan said it had been an interesting year.

“There were talks of below average rain this year early on, but it’s been unusual with months being the wettest on record or the driest on record or somewhere in between,” he said. “But we’ll take all the rain we can get.”

West Wimmera has received a soaking, with Edenhope recording rain almost every day so far this month.

Apsley has recorded 93mm this month, with heavy rain this week causing flash flooding at the town’s recreation reserve. 

Friends of Lake Wallace’s Rob Pettman said the Edenhope lake was looking absolutely beautiful.

“There is probably more water in it now than there was towards the end of last year,” he said.

“It’s just fantastic for the town – from a mental health point of view, it has rejuvenated everyone and it’s been a talking point across the whole district.

“The angling club is looking at running a fishing competition now that we have water. It’s breathed new life into everything.”

Wimmera’s storages increased by 5580 megalitres this week.

On Wednesday, Wartook was 90 per cent full, Taylors Lake 83 per cent, and Green Lake 65 per cent.