WaterNSW acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which we work and pay our respects to all elders past, present and emerging. Learn more
WaterNSW alerts communities to environmental water release
17 AUGUST 2026WaterNSW is working with partner agencies to keep landholders and the broader community informed about a large environmental water delivery from Burrendong Dam in the Macquarie Valley.
WaterNSW will deliver 70 gigalitres of water from Burrendong on behalf of Government Environmental Water Holders, with the river flow rate at Marebone Weir expected to peak at 1200 megalitres per day.
The volume is comparable to previous environmental orders delivered in the Valley. Some private properties may experience a degree of inundation, mostly on land closer to the target areas of the flow at the Macquarie Marshes.
Ahead of the releases commencing, WaterNSW and the Environmental Water Holders have been communicating with affected landholders and local government.
WaterNSW works closely with government environment authorities and the water advisory groups to deliver environmental water with full consideration of wider downstream impacts, according to WaterNSW Head of Water Planning and Delivery, Ashley Webb.
“In making releases from its dams, WaterNSW must always act in good faith, including informing landholders and the community of likely impacts where larger releases are required to meet these environmental orders.”
“This means WaterNSW will continue to work with landholders to minimise inconvenience, including adequate advance notification of larger water releases likely to inundate private land.”
Landholders and community members are encouraged to sign up for environmental release notifications via WaterNSW’s free, automated early warning notification system, at waternsw.com.au/ewn or via the WaterInsights portal at WaterInsights - WaterNSW