Menindee Lakes water levels drop to lowest in five years as experts warn of mass fish deaths
Summary
Water levels at Menindee Lakes in western New South Wales have fallen to their lowest point in five years, and the state has restricted some upstream water use. Experts warn that fish deaths could occur over summer if river flows do not improve, while a panel’s recommendations to protect flows have not yet been implemented.Key Facts
- Combined storage at Menindee Lakes fell below 480 gigalitres earlier in October, the first time since 2021.
- Water volume in the upper lakes fell below 250 gigalitres, triggering temporary restrictions on some water use in parts of the northern Murray-Darling basin.
- The restrictions limit access for some irrigators and aim to preserve water for essential human needs and the environment.
- Experts link the risk of summer fish deaths to low rainfall over the past 12 months and warn that more water must flow down the Darling-Baaka River.
- Menindee experienced major fish kills in 2018, 2019 and 2023, when millions of fish died along parts of the river.
- A state-appointed expert panel recommended limiting upstream water extraction during dry periods, but the state government has not implemented its final recommendations.
- A Menindee resident said small inflows from Queensland offered some hope, but warned that the risk of fish deaths could be high in January or February without more inflows.
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