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THE Narooma district finally got the rain it craved after a couple of months of nothing at all.
A thirsty swamp wallaby took advantage of the water in the birdbath of Kianga resident Pat Reid just before the rains fell late last week.
Tilba dairy farmer Robyn Lucas said while there was still some subsurface moisture prior to the rain, the fields had browned off due to recent frosts and the rain was badly needed.
Around 120mm had fallen at Narooma as of yesterday morning, while the East Coast Low whipped up the seas with four to five metre swells pounding the bar.
Eurobodalla Shire Council on Tuesday was forced to close Murphy Bridge on Eurobodalla Road while Kianga Creek reached its trigger level and was to be opened at around 8.30am yesterday.
Narooma oyster farmers meanwhile are forced to stop harvesting anytime rainfall exceeds 50mm and recently voiced concern over the proximity of controlled burns to the edge of Wagonga Lake as the resulting ash could increase nutrient levels and cause algal blooms.
Grower David Maidment said the 50mm trigger point was reached on Monday morning.
While many growers had the foresight to remove some oysters to allow for continued sales, the lake was not expected to reopen for harvest until next week, he said.