Murray Darling Basin Authority’s weekly report showed releases went from 13,000 megalitres a day on December 21 to 8500 megalitres mid last week.

Mulwala’s Michael McGlynn, who has owned property along the Murray River since the early 1970s, said the change made a big difference to recreational users.

“This year it’s got sand bars coming out of the water a bit and all the boats are getting snagged,” he said.

“They’re getting caught on the sand, it’s a wonder there haven’t been more accidents.

“People can’t water ski, it’s just too dangerous.” 

Mr McGlynn emailed his concerns to Goulburn Murray Water and the Murray Darling Basin Authority.

The authority said water demands downstream of Yarrawonga lessened over Christmas and the New Year, which meant the releases did as well.

“Currently, around 7000 ML/day is required downstream of Yarrawonga to meet operational demands (compared to over 10,000 ML/day this time last year),” the weekly report said.

“The target flow of 8000 ML/day is expected to continue in January.”

Another longtime resident, Ron Hall, said Mulwala relied on summer visitors, but the low river affected their activities.

“We put up with the floods and then when it comes prime holiday time, there’s no water for tourism,” he said.

“I know the Murray’s for farming and all that, I understand that. But all these little towns along the Murray, they survive by tourism.”

Mr Hall said many people preferred downstream sites to Lake Mulwala, which they considered too rough.

Murray Darling Basin Authority head of river management David Dreverman said the authority understood people enjoyed and benefited from recreation and tourism along the river.

“But no matter what time of year it is, we can only release flows into the river to meet orders placed by entitlement holders,” he said.

“If they don’t order the water we cannot release it.”

Before Christmas Mr Dreverman anticipated flows would drop back to about 8000 megalitres per day

“This means flows downstream of Yarrawonga will be lower than in the past few summers,” he said then.