Council moved to open the lake to the ocean after the area received more than 75mm of rain across the weekend, bringing the water level close to the required trigger point of 1m AHD.

With the lake water level at 0.96m AHD, only four centimetres below the trigger level, and more rainfall predicted for the area in the ensuing days, the decision was made to open the entrance late Wednesday.

After engaging with key stakeholders, including local residents onsite Tuesday morning, council maintained the start and end points of the mid-spit opening but modified the original dog leg channel with a curving channel.

Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash said she was pleased to see council staff working with the local community and state government agencies to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.

“By all reports, last night’s mechanical entrance intervention of Lake Conjola was an extremely successful operation,” Cr Gash said on Thursday.

“With further rain expected over the next few days the lake is already flowing freely to the ocean across a 25 metre opening. 

“Whilst the water level is dropping slowly, currently sitting at 0.91m AHD, the entrance is flowing and has already started scouring.

“However with further rainfall on its way, residents should be alerted to the fact that the water level may rise again.”

Cr Gash said council staff would continue to monitor the entrance and its behaviour over coming weeks.

Following a four week observation period council will meet with all stakeholders to analyse the effects of the intervention.