Yesterday the Hindmarsh Shire Council commenced releasing water from the weir pool at Jeparit, which follows advice from the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority that Wimmera River environmental flows will be coming through over the coming weeks.

Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor, Cr Debra Nelson said, "Unfortunately, the Jeparit weir has been leaking for a little while. We have been keen to examine the weir more closely and undertake maintenance and repairs but did not want to drop the water levels without the assurance of being able to fill the weir pool again. The coming environmental flows provide a great opportunity to do just that."

"While our current budget will not allow major structural works without external funding, we will attempt to fix the existing leaks when the boards are returned to the weir."

Additional benefits from the release of water will be the reduction of salt from the weir pool and an opportunity for the riparian vegetation to dry out for a short period.

Environmental flows are expected to return water to the weir pool over the coming months.