Lakes hit five-year low

Water storage in the Menindee Lakes of western New South Wales has fallen to its lowest level in five years. The decline has triggered new state restrictions on water use upstream.

Combined storage across the lakes dropped below 480 gigalitres earlier this month. This is the first time the volume has reached this level since 2021. In the upper Menindee Lakes, water levels have fallen under 250 gigalitres. That specific threshold activates temporary water restrictions across parts of the northern Murray-Darling basin.

The new rules limit access for certain irrigators. The state government aims to protect water for critical human needs and the environment. These measures follow low rainfall in the catchment area over the past 12 months.

Prof Jamie Pittock of the Australian National University and the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists said officials are certain fish deaths will occur without more water. He stated, "Government officials are predicting with a level of certainty that unless there's more water flowing into the Baaka-Darling River that there will be fish kills at Menindee this summer." Pittock called for a major rainfall event and urged state governments to stop irrigators from pumping out the first flush of water.

Graeme McCrabb, a Menindee resident who raised alarms during the 2018 and 2019 fish kills, said the lakes have reached drought reserve volumes. He explained that water must be conserved at all costs. McCrabb noted that small inflows have arrived from Queensland after recent rain there. He said, "If we don't get inflows, the risk [of fish kills] would be very high in January or February." He added that a milder summer would also reduce the risk. McCrabb described the water taking on a green algal look and said, "I'm worried about fish kills to be honest."

Menindee experienced catastrophic fish kills in 2018, 2019, and 2023. During those events, millions of dead fish washed up along the Darling-Baaka River. Premier Chris Minns and senior ministers visited Menindee days after winning the 2023 state election. They committed to investigating the mass fish deaths. An expert panel set up under the northern basin connectivity program recommended limiting upstream overextraction during dry periods. The panel delivered its final report two years ago, but the state government has not yet implemented it.

McCrabb said he was disappointed the recommendations had not been followed. He stated, "Since the fish kills, government agencies have made no policy changes to improve water quality outcomes." Comment has been sought from NSW water minister Rose Jackson.