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The town of Lake Boga in northern Victoria experienced the loss of its lake in early 2008 due to ongoing drought conditions. This lake was central to the town’s recreation and tourism industry and formed a defining point of identity for residents and visitors.

Lake Boga sits on the northeastern edge of the Mallee region of Victoria, near the River Murray. Historically, the region has benefited economically from both dryland and irrigation agriculture. Both drought and flood events have remained strong in the memories of older people in Lake Boga with farmers and non-farmers alike remembering the extreme wet-dry cycles of the local environment. Such experience has contributed to a tough and resilient local character. During the Second World War, a flying boat maintenance depot was established at Lake Boga, and this period of history has had a lasting effect on the town and its sense of identity. The population of Lake Boga has remained relatively steady over the past 25 years with around 700 residents. The town sits within both a rural landscape and in the shadow of a regional centre, Swan Hill.