Green Lake, about 16km south-east of Horsham, was the central point for the yacht club to meet, but has been left in disarray after being decommissioned by GWM Water.

Mr Walker said fellow sailors are frustrated and feel powerless.

"This year it will dry up again and there is no guarantee that we will get any money. Unless the water minister orders it, it won't happen," he said.

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He said the loss of the lake has killed the yacht club, which was already hurting from the big drought from the early 2000s.

"We have no chance for the club to grow, or to get another generation out on the water," he said.

"GWMWater doesn't need it for the water system.

"We had been told previously that the lake would never dry up again, but once the pipeline was put in, we were told to sail at Taylors Lake."

The problem is, Mr Walker explained, that Taylors Lake is not a safe lake.

"It has rocks on the shore, trees under the water and the lake gets big waves quite quickly," he said.

"At Green Lake there are only a couple of stumps to watch out for, no big rocks and we never get massive waves. It's ideal for learning to sail."

Horsham Rural City Council have put funds towards water for Green Lake but have been told by GWMWater there is no water available due to low inflows last winter and spring.

"We have been able to access water for Green Lake from GWMWater in recent years. This has come at a modest cost, and this has been included in council's budget," infrastructure director John Martin said.

"Their storages, I believe, were at the lowest levels since spring 2015, the last year in which Green Lake did not receive a supply. I think their inflows were only 37 per cent of average - so well down on average. July was particularly dry, even though spring had rains that were good for grain crops in the region.

"We will continue to liaise with GWMWater, and if this coming winter and spring is suitable, there may be enough inflow to their reservoirs to enable a supply again for next summer."

Mr Walker said Green Lake was not just a spot for sailing but also one of the few tourist attractions Horsham offers.

"We are losing an asset to Horsham," he said.

"The benefit of it is massive. We need to see Green Lake respected as a proper resource for the Wimmera."

Green Lake's current water level is 28 per cent, last year is was at 51 per cent.

Due to the low water, Green Lake has blue-green algae. Blue-green algae can be cleared out with fresh water intake.

"No one wants to visit a stinking puddle," Mr Walker said.

The Wimmera Mail-Times has contacted GWMWater for comment.

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