However, while this scene offers serenity, it also presents a safety risk.
As Goulburn-Murray Water prepares for the influx of visitors to its lakes, dams and reservoirs, where over 500,000 people engage in summer activities, officials are stressing the importance of being cautious on the water.
G-MW water storage services general manager Alan Shea urged boaters, in particular, to remain vigilant.
“During the warmer months, people should be aware that there will be a lot more swimmers and vessels around than usual,” he said.
“There is a five-knot limit at all our water storages for boaters within 50m of other vessels, navigation aids, swimmers and fixed or floating structures.
“It is crucial people observe these limits for their own safety and the safety of those around them, particularly during peak periods such as the summer holidays.”
Complicating matters, recent dry conditions and high irrigation demands have decreased water levels in many G-MW storages.
Notably, the capacity of the Waranga Basin plummeted by 47 per cent, while that of the Hume Dam fell by 42 per cent.
“When water levels drop, the nature of a waterway changes,” Mr Shea said.
“Areas that were deep enough to boat at high speeds in previous months may now be much shallower, and hazards that were well below the surface may now be just below the waterline.
“If it has been several months since someone last visited a storage, they should take it a bit slower when they are out on the water.”
For more information on water safety, visit g-mwater.com.au/recreation
Additionally, Safe Transport Victoria provides various resources on its website to help ensure safe water travel for everyone: safetransport.vic.gov.au/on-the-water
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