Menindee Lakes release to increase soon

With summer approaching, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority advises that transfers of water from Menindee Lakes to the River Murray can be expected to start later in November.

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The transfer of water from the Menindee Lakes to Lake Victoria will supplement flow in the River Murray to supply water entitlements in, and trade deliveries to, South Australia. The transfer will also assist in maintaining high water storage levels in Lake Victoria and ensures that MDBA meets the normal operational requirement to have Menindee Lakes below full supply level by the end of December.

Storage in Lake Victoria is currently being increased and is expected to approach full supply level in the coming week. Thereafter, with higher demands and diminishing tributary inflows to the Murray, it is expected that the level in Lake Victoria will begin to fall.

This will then be the optimum time to commence transfers from Menindee Lakes as it will minimise the risk of this water spilling from Lake Victoria. Delaying releases could result in additional evaporation loss from Menindee Lakes.

In future flow advices, MDBA will provide specific details of commencement dates, flow rates and expected river levels in the Lower Darling River. However, at this stage, it can be anticipated that initial target flow rates will be in the order of 5,000 to 7,000 ML/day at Weir 32.

Releases may change in response to weather and demand conditions as well as the possibility of higher inflows from the upper reaches of the Darling River.

Landholders and river users, including pumpers, should take into account any announced increase in flow rates along the lower Darling River and make necessary adjustments to their activities.

MDBA will provide regular updates over the coming summer period.

ENDS
 

For media information contact the MDBA Media Office at media@mdba.gov.au or 02 6279 0141. For other information contact MDBA at inquiries@mdba.gov.au or 02 6279 0100.

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