Managing Lake Sambell

Yes! We monitor the water quality of Lake Sambell every month to make sure it is safe for everyone to enjoy. Our monitoring takes place at two popular swimming sites – the playground beach on the lakes’ northwest shore, and the small jetty on the southwest shore.

We began partnering with DEECA in February 2023, adding Lake Sambell to the Victorian Government’s statewide Water Measurement Information System (WMIS). 

Several water quality parameters are monitored including levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, and the presence of blue green algae. You can see the data on the WMIS portal by searching for “Lake Sambell @ Playground Beach” (Surface Water Site #403603) and “Lake Sambell @ Jetty (Surface Water Site #403604), in the Ovens Basin.

Water quality in the lake is normally very good. Nutrient levels, particularly phosphorous, are very low, and nitrogen is also low to moderately low. Occasional low levels of blue green algae are detected, but these are always well within guidelines for recreational waters. 

However, we do advise anyone with serious health concerns after swimming in the lake to seek professional medical advice. In the instance that there may be a connection to water quality, medical professionals will advise the Department of Health and we will then investigate. If you are concerned abut swimming in Lake Sambell, please consider the available alternatives such as the Beechworth Swimming Pool.

The following tables show recent data collected at the two locations. These tables will be updated monthly.

Lake Sambell Playground Beach Water Quality Data

Lake Sambell Jetty Water Quality Data

Lake Sambell Jetty, September 2024 

One of the aquatic plant species that helps to keep Lake Sambell so healthy is the naturally occurring Tape grass, Vallisneria spiralis. Importantly, this native plant uses up and stores nutrients that would otherwise be available to blue green algae during the warmer months.

In late summer, Vallisneria can experience natural die-off, causing it to float on the surface and deposit on the lake shore. This last happened in March 2022, where Council responded to concerns from the community around large quantities of dead and dying Vallisneria floating in the lake. Methods to manage the accumulation of biomass caused by the die-offs were investigated, including the viability of using mechanical approaches to collect the floating plant material via a harvester boat at a significant financial cost (as practiced in Shepparton on Victoria Park Lake).

However, based on our research regarding the plant’s life cycle and the potential benefits of the biomass to the health of the lake ecosystem, Council decided to apply the precautionary principle and take a ‘watch and wait’ approach. The Vallisneria was eventually reabsorbed into the lake ecosystem. Whilst this natural die-off can be confronting to look at and difficult to swim or paddle through, it is a natural part of the plant’s life cycle and is no cause for alarm.

Vallisneria spiralis floating on Lake Sambell – March 2022

In addition to caring for the Tape grass in Lake Sambell, we can all help to keep the lake healthy by:

• Planting and maintaining riparian (waterside) vegetation that slows and cleans water entering waterways
• Picking up dog waste and litter
• Using the recommended dosage of fertilisers and pesticides on gardens and lawns
• Reporting sewerage and septic leaks and other pollution sources
• Reporting poor construction site management allowing runoff and sediments to enter our waterways