THE inflatable water park at Yarrawonga was on track for a bumper season before the North East bushfire crisis and a blue-green algae outbreak.
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Aquazone at Lake Mulwala stopped trading this month until further notice after Goulburn-Murray Waterway warned people to avoid contact with water in Yarrawonga Weir and Lake Mulwala.
Aquazone at Lake Mulwala managing director Deb North said the Code Red outbreak had come after catastrophic bushfires and extreme summer conditions.
"We've had the hottest January on record, rising water temperatures, low rainfalls and an endless array of catastrophes across the region," she said.
"Technically, the blue-green algae is a flow-on effect."
In December Aquazone gained a new module, which doubled the size of the park.
Ms North said they had been running at capacity with people travelling from as far away as Wagga.
"But due to extreme weather and catastrophic fire season we had 26 days in January and December directly impacted; we were closed for 15 days in total due to extreme winds, smoke and dust storms," Ms North said.
"We've lost 50 per cent of trading time and 40 employees are now without work."
Ms North said once they got the all-clear, they would remain open until Easter.
"We'll soldier on and everything will work out," she said.
"The ducks are enjoying their free ride out there!
"There is still so much waterway that is unaffected from Bundalong and back and so many great activities to enjoy in the area."