The mouth of the Powlett River is being opened to the sea to ease inundation of farmland upstream after above average rainfall in July.
The West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority is working with Parks Victoria to ease pressure on the Powlett River floodplain.
Rainfall in the Powlett River catchment has exceeded the July average.
Wonthaggi reached 119.4mm for the month compared to the July average of 97.6mm.
The highest day of rainfall was 26.4mm on Thursday July 3.
The Powlett River has been rising steadily all month inundating surrounding farmland.
According to the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority the Powlett River/Kugerungmome estuary on Bunurong Country near Kilcunda is a significant and ever-changing wetland that provides essential habitat for wildlife.
Decisions to open the estuary mouth are informed by the Estuary Entrance Management Support System (EEMSS) and additional data and information connected through onsite monitoring and stakeholder consultation.
Flooding in the area has doubled over the last five years according to local farmers.
