Lake Eppalock

Water Storage Levels

Last Updated 09/01/2025
Current Volume 224803
Current AHD 191.18
% of Capacity 73.79
Capacity (ML) 304651
82.9%
80.5%
77.3%
74.9%
73.8%
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan

Current Eppalock Alerts

Managing water levels at Lake Eppalock

Thursday 9 January 2025
Information about managing the storage level at Lake Eppalock.

Declaration of Boating Activity Exemption

Wednesday 2 October 2024
Persons and vessels involved in the 2024 Victorian Speed Boat Club Inc Club Day and 2025 Eppalock Gold Cup are exempt from the following requirements.

Urgent Safety Rule - Eppalock Exclusion area

Announcement of area for exclusive use by bathers and manually operated craft.

About Lake Eppalock

History

Lake Eppalock was constructed between 1960 and 1964 to provide irrigation from the Campaspe River, and to supply water to Bendigo.

Operations

Lake Eppalock supplies irrigation and stock and domestic water to the Campaspe Irrigation district and urban supplies to Bendigo, Heathcote and more recently Ballarat.

In years of plentiful water resources, water from Lake Eppalock is used to supplement the Waranga Western Channel that supplies customers in the Rochester and Pyramid-Boort irrigation areas.  

Location

Lake Eppalock is located on the Campaspe River, near Bendigo in central Victoria

Facts & Figures

Name Lake Eppalock
Stream Campaspe River
Year of Completion 1964
Construction Earth and Rockfill
Full Supply Level 193.91 m AHD
Capacity 304,651 ML
Area Submerged 3,011 ha
Main Embankment Length 700 m
Main Embankment Height 47 m
Hydro-electric Generation MW

Recreation and Tourism at Lake Eppalock

Facilities Available

Car Parking Car Parking
Boat Ramp Boat Ramp
Fishing Fishing
Camping Camping
BBQ - Electric BBQ - Electric
Toilets Toilets
Please observe all signs and directions around our storages for information on recreational activities. Refer to the Land and On-Water Management Plan (if provided above) for detailed information on the facilities available.

Further Information

Lake Eppalock is in the heart of central Victoria's goldfields, just a 20 minute drive from heathcote, 30 minutes from Bendigo and 90 minutes from Melbourne.

Built in 1964 to supply water for irrigation, the lake has become one of the most popular recreational inland waterways in Victoria and is an ideal location for waterskiing, fishing, boating and swimming. 

Today the lake supplies irrigation, environmental and stock and domestic water to entitlement holders as far north as Echuca as well as supplying urban supplies to Bendigo, Heathcote and other central Victorian towns.

It is also home to 34 recreational clubs, and four caravan parks.

Lake Eppalock is one of 23 lakes, storages and weirs managed by GMW to capture, store and deliver 70% of Victoria's stored water across a region about the same size as Tasmania

Please Remember

  • No camping or fires allowed on GMW foreshore land.
  • Confine vehicles and motor bikes to formed public roads.
  • Take your rubbish home.

Lake Eppalock is a beautiful natural resource. You can help care for the lake so it can be enjoyed now and into the future.

  • camping and campfires are prohibited in GMW reserves and on foreshore and lakebed areas
  • electric barbecues are available at some reserves (see map below)
  • refer to your local council for landfill services and consider the environment when disposing of your litter. Penalties apply for illegal dumping of rubbish
  • don’t take plants from the foreshore, or bring any in
  • don’t feed the animals or wildlife, or interfere with their habitats
  • boat wash can cause erosion, keep to 5 knots within 50 metres of the water’s edge
  • vehicles and trail bikes are only allowed on public roads within the reserve
  • all vehicles and trail bikes must be registered and users must be licenced
  • keep the waterway healthy by not using soap, toothpaste or detergent in the lake
  • dogs must be on a lead and/or under control at all times and aren’t allowed in the lake. Please clean up after your pets.

View the Water (Recreational Area) Regulations 2023 

Local boating rules are posted at all public boat ramps.

  1. Launching and retrieving vessels must occur from the designated boat ramp/s.
  2. To avoid congestion, complete any preparation prior to launching, or when returning from the water, away from the ramp.
  3. Parking is only permitted in designated areas.
  4. Ensure all safety equipment is on the vessel and operational, and that lifejackets are always worn.
  5. Be aware and comply with all waterway vessel operating zones.
  6. Always keep a lookout for waterway hazards and operate your vessel in line with weather and waterway conditions.
  7. Ensure no one is in or on the vessel when moving to and from the ramp.
  8. Shade structures are not permitted within 50 metres of either side of boat ramps.
  9. Stay clear of dam infrastructure.

Don't forget your Water Smarts

Lake Eppalock is home to Redfin,  Golden Perch, Murray Cod and Trout. Red Fin can be found in the Derrinal & Kimbolton pools north of the lake. The mouths of the Coliban & Campaspe Rivers is the place to fish for Murray Cod and Golden Perch.

For the latest information on fishing in Victoria, contact Fisheries Victoria on  136 186, and don’t forget your Recreational Fishing Licence!

Lake Eppalock is home to Redfin,  Golden Perch, Murray Cod and Trout. Red Fin can be found in the Derrinal & Kimbolton pools north of the lake. The mouths of the Coliban & Campaspe Rivers is the place to fish for Murray Cod and Golden Perch.

For the latest information on fishing in Victoria, contact Fisheries Victoria on  136 186, and don’t forget your Recreational Fishing Licence!

Boating Victoria ramp cameras

Boating Victoria ramp camera photos are automatically updated every five minutes. The images are to give an indication of how busy the ramp and carpark may be and are displayed at a resolution not to reveal boat ramp user identities.
These pages also include information such as weather conditions, maps and alerts.

Lake Eppalock - Kimbolton Ramp 1

Boating Maps

Click to enlarge the boating maps of Lake Eppalock at 179.99m AHD and below as well as 180.0m AHD and above.

  Lake levels 179.99 metres and below, link opens in a new window

Boat ramp operating levels

This table shows at what level boat ramps at Lake Eppalock can be used. The percentage indicates the lowest the storage can get before the ramp becomes unusable.
Boat ramp Operational when storage is above
Kimbolton Pool No 1 15.7%
Kimbolton Pool No 2 - concrete 79%
Kimbolton Pool No 2 - gravel 56.7%
Kirrang Point 44.33%
Point King 76.8%
Moorabbee Foreshore concrete ramp 52.58%

GMW's customers use the water in our storages to produce food and fibre, supply towns and businesses, and protect and improve waterway health.

Visitors need to be conscious of potential hazards and consider their own safety and the safety of other users at all times. Water levels (high or low) can prompt increased safety measures, and changes to access for recreational areas and boating.

Safety information and  alerts will be signposted at public areas and boat ramps.

Find out more about   current water level information.

At times, the level of blue-green algae in storages can exceed safe limits. When this happens you should avoid direct contact with the water as the algae can cause;

  • skin rashes
  • itchiness
  • sore eyes, ears and nose
  • nausea.

If unsafe levels occur, warning signs will be positioned at major recreational areas.

Online Blue-green algae warnings are available or by calling the 24 hour GMW blue-green algae hotline on  (03) 5826 3785.

 Camping at Lake Eppalock is only allowed in commercial four caravan parks located around the lake (see map). 

In addition to the parks there are plenty of B&Bs and holiday houses available year round. For more information see the  Bendigo Tourism website.

Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds and Accommodation

For information on local camping grounds, caravan parks and accommodation, please contact the local tourist information centre.

For more information on jetties please visit our  Occupation Licences page.

GMW’s lakes, dams and reservoirs are ideal places for events. Find out more about hosting an  event at one of our storages.

 Facilities Map

Detailed map of the facilities at Lake Eppalock

 If you require a printable version of recreation information at Lake Eppalock, please phone GMW on 1800 013 357 and quote the reference A500366.

Download the PDF version of the map
Lake Eppalock Outlet Tower
Lake Eppalock Outlet Tower