Releases to increase from Menindee Lakes

In accordance with the longstanding MDB Agreement, the MDBA may direct releases from Menindee Lakes system until the volume of water in the lakes falls below 480 gigalitres.

MDBA releases are made to meet demands in the Murray downstream of the Darling River confluence.

MDBA river operations head Andrew Reynolds said continuing dry conditions over winter had also prompted early transfers from Hume Dam to Lake Victoria to meet River Murray demands over summer and autumn.

"The Menindee Lakes are shallow and high evaporation losses mean the storages are used ahead of others, such as Dartmouth Dam,” he said.

“Mindful of the challenges facing the local community, we have limited our releases from the lakes systems to allow for, as much as possible, the preservation of water in Lakes Wetherell and Pamamaroo.”

WaterNSW System Operations executive manager Adrian Langdon said the Menindee Lakes system was managed to supply licensed customers including Essential Water and Lower Darling landholders, as well as ensuring water security for customers along the Murray.

“Having a greater proportion of water in the upper lakes, when the 480GL trigger is reached, provides greater security to local water users,” he said. 

“Safeguards are built into the water sharing arrangements so that the use of Menindee Lakes is limited to protect Broken Hill’s water supply and Lower Darling use once lake volumes fall below 480GL.

“The higher releases in the coming months will continue to provide benefits to the riverine environment though, including flow conditions favourable for native fish. 

"WaterNSW's recent operations have ensured that when the 480GL trigger is reached, which is likely to occur in mid-November, the majority of the water is in the upper two lakes which will be used as storage to meet future needs.”

WaterNSW and the MDBA will provide further details on flow rates in the coming weeks.