Once again, the Burge family is facing the prospect of their property being inundated with flood water, so they are making preparations to reduce the impact.
Yesterday, Mr Burge said they were “alright at the moment” but expected at least some of their land to be under water by this time next week.
The family, now into their fourth generation on the farm, lost three quarters of their crops seven years ago when flooding caused a massive breach in a levee.
Mr Burge said the levee was “really solid“, and they had maintained it over the years, so he never thought it would breach.
“We’re preparing for the water that’s coming down now,” he said.
“We’ve been moving livestock and blocked off pipes and levees and have sandbags.”
Mr Burge said he was not expecting the coming water level to be as significant as it was in 2016, when more than 200,000ML of water was released down the Murray River via Yarrawonga and Tocumwal.
“In 2016 they let too much out too quickly,” he said.
“When I last looked, this morning, 130,000ML was coming out of Yarrawonga.
“So, it’s mainly the Ovens (River) that will cause us grief this time.
“There is some air space in the Hume (Dam) now, which is important with the Dartmouth (Dam) spilling.”
Mr Burge said there were three major considerations at the moment in how much water may potentially come down the Murray River system and impact the local area.
"The forests and rivers are so full in front of us, so that will hit us with high water,“ he said.
“Plus, the Goulburn and Campaspe (rivers) force water down the Edward (River).
“And, there’s plenty of long grass in the forests that will slow the water down.”
Mr Burge said the biggest unknowns for him were “just how full the forest is“ and the predicted rain for the remainder of October.
With more than 50mm expected to fall before the end of this weekend, Mr Burge said it will “keep everything full and the run-off going“.
He does not anticipate 2022 will be a repeat of 2016, but is making the most of the time before the flood waters arrive to ensure his property is as well prepared as possible.
