WATER releases from the Menindee Lakes are expected to begin this week, in response to dry conditions across the southern Murray-Darling Basin.
MDB Authority river management executive director Andrew Reynolds said the Authority had consulted with the local community in partnership with WaterNSW, and was taking on board feedback on the best way to release the water, without impacting landholders and residents.
A peak of about 3500 megalitres a day will be targeted across the next three weeks.
"We're keeping the daily releases from Menindee relatively small to ensure roads and private river crossings remain open for local landholders and the community," Mr Reynolds said.
"WaterNSW estimates that between 800 and 1000gL will enter the lakes, so the 20 to 30gL we will be releasing over a three-week period, represents 4 per cent of the total volume expected to arrive."
The lakes are currently 45pc full, holding more than 770gLs and rising, with storages increasing by 17,000mL every day on average in the past week.
"As the most significant volume of water to enter the lakes in five years, it's critical that we draw on this water carefully and maximise the benefits to everyone with a stake in this resource," Mr Reynolds said.
"The releases will start slowly to mimic natural river systems, providing connectivity between the Darling and Murray systems - something that would have occurred to a much larger extent if the water wasn't captured in the Menindee Lakes.
"How we use this water on behalf of Basin state governments, will continue to be shaped by community feedback, while meeting the requirements of the state governments in accordance with the rules of the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement. The lakes continue to be actively managed by WaterNSW."
The volume of water in the Menindee Lakes surpassed 640gL on May 7, triggering water sharing arrangements agreed between NSW, Vic and SA in the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement.
At that point the MDBA can access water in the lakes on behalf of Basin states until the lakes drop back to 480gL.
"We don't expect to release significant volumes from the Menindee Lakes until spring or summer and will continue to evaluate conditions as they unfold," Mr Reynolds said.
"If we have a dry winter that might change with rising demand for water."
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