Data update shows more water to arrive at Menindee lakes
23 APRIL 2025Projected total inflows into Menindee lakes have risen by up to 200 gigalitres (GL) as ongoing modelling and inter-agency co-operation shed light on the volume of water making its way to Menindee lakes via northern basin tributaries.
The latest update, after consultation with the Bureau of Meteorology (Bureau) last week, indicated that 800-1200 GL could be received into the lakes by late May/early June. This is up from an estimate of 600-1000 GL earlier this month.
The lakes currently sit at 31.4% of active capacity, holding approximately 544 GL. At full capacity the lakes can hold up to 1700 GL, meaning even the upper end of the current forecast inflows can be captured within the lakes.
The inflow estimates remain subject to change and will be monitored and recalculated regularly, with the latest information relayed to the community.
WaterNSW has installed additional gauging points to assist authorities in tracking and measuring inflows from recent rainfall across the northern basin, moving into the Barwon Darling catchment over the next few weeks.
Working closely with the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) WaterNSW has reactivated a dormant gauging site at Porter’s Crossing which will track flow from the Paroo as it enters the Darling River near Wilcannia.
In addition, WaterNSW crews installed manual gauges to track river heights at two additional locations on the Paroo River.
WaterNSW is moving water from the upper lakes into Lake Menindee to receive the anticipated inflows sometime in May.
Water releases from Menindee lakes remain at 3000 megalitres per day at the request of the Murray Darling Basin Authority.
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