THE release of the Independent Review of Lower Lakes Science Informing Water Management has prompted a mixed response from water ministers, irrigators and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
MDBA chief executive Phillip Glyde said the report confirmed his organisation's management of the Lower Lakes was based on good science.
"The lakes were fresh, the lakes are fresh and removal of the barrages will make the those lakes salty - and that is contrary to the existing international commitments we've made to protect the environment, economic, social and cultural values," Mr Glyde said.
If the barrages were removed, Mr Glyde said more water would need to move down the system to keep the lakes fresh.
"If we need more water to keep those lakes fresh because we've let salt water in from the sea, then we need to take more water back from industry and that would be a disaster," he said.
"The barrages were, and are, an investment in keeping irrigation industries upstream going."
But SA Murray Irrigators chair Caren Martin feared the report created more uncertainty for irrigators and their communities.
"This report implies more water may be needed for the environment - and the more water becomes scarce, the less supply comes into the water market and the higher the water market price - putting more people out of business," she said.
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