LAKE MOKOAN AND ITS DECOMMISSIONING
The flooding of the Winton (Mokoan) Swamp in 1971 to create Lake Mokoan was broadly welcomed for the economic and recreational values that it promised. It created a very large water storage that irrigated thousands of hectares of agriculture, adding $10-$15 million to the local economy each year. It was one of the best Murray Cod and Golden Perch fisheries in Victoria. It was also used for hunting and sailing. At the same time the new reservoir inundated around 7,000 Ha of agricultural land, ancient forests and beautiful and unique wetlands. The flooding killed around 150,000 river red gums including many Aboriginal scar trees that still stand today, having re-emerged from the lake as dead stags but still retaining their scarring and their stories.
Over a run of dry years, Lake Mokoan sometimes dried out completely and at other times was subject to blue-green algal breakouts. Water managers seeking ways to save water in the Murray-Darling system noted that the large and shallow water body was losing far more water through evaporation than it contributed to agriculture, and raised the question of its decommissioning. This met with strong local opposition from irrigators and recreational users of the Lake. After a great deal of protest and community anguish, the lake was decommissioned and drained in 2010. Water that would otherwise have been stored in Lake Mokoan was diverted to achieve ecological flows for the Snowy River and other rivers.
RENEWAL
In 2010 the Winton wetlands Committee of Management was charged with restoring and renewing the old dam site. The Committee has set about its task with gusto and has delivered a thriving site supported by multiple partners and supporters. The Committee has focused on:
· Rebuilding ecological integrity and protecting and reintroducing threatened species
· Renewing infrastructure and amenity to rebuild local access, recreation and pride
· Creating unique and life-changing experiences for visitors
· Involving local indigenous people in the renewal project and through recognition of hundreds of indigenous cultural heritage sites
Demonstrating how ecological and cultural regeneration can affect people’s lives and drive economic development.
SOURCE: https://wintonwetlands.org.au/
The Wetlands in 2018
Over the past few years the water in the lake has decreased to the point where it is currently a dry lake. Some winter rain has softened the lake bed again but little water remains. This type of environmental change is a historically common occurrence for this flat shallow lake.
Many bird species have returned to the area and can be spotted at various times of the year. After the 2016 wet winter there were many migrating birds found living on the lake, including black swans and pelicans.
Currently, with the water evaporated from the lake for the time being, the mess left behind by recreational users from days gone by has been exposed. Walking around the lake bed you come across many bottles and other rubbish items stuck in the mud.
SOURCE: https://wintonwetlands.org.au/winton-wetlands-map/
CITO EVENT
With a number of geocaches spread out across and highlighting the wetlands it has been decided that a Cache In Trash Out (CITO) event is in order to help improve the image and health of the area.
The plan for the event is to meet at the Mokoan Hub at 1pm and head off across and around the lake. Depending on numbers in attendance we may divvy up sections of the lake to head to so that we cover more area. The focus area for the day will be the Sergeant Swamp and Winton Swamp sections of the lake. The event will go for approximately 2 hours but cachers are encouraged to spend a bit more time in the area.
Please bring your own garbage bags and any rubbish handling items you may want to use. A pair of old shoes or Gumboots would be a good idea as well. 
The lovely folks at the Winton Wetlands have arranged for Benalla Council to lend us their recycle bin trailer for the event. Cachers can access this from the Education Centre (next to the Mokoan Hub) as they leave.