Operations Update on Menindee Lakes System releases
29 May 2024
WaterNSW is advising customers and the wider community of changes to releases from the Menindee Lakes and downstream of Weir 32 to deliver directed releases for the connectivity trial between the Northern and Southern Basins via Menindee Lake System.
The operations and release patterns of water at Menindee Lakes continue to be guided by advice from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and other NSW and Commonwealth partner agencies including the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). The dynamic nature of managing the water quality and flows may result in changes to release structures and flows occurring with little warning.
Planned increased releases below Weir 32 should be expected over the coming days as flows are increased to target a maximum flow of 4,000 ML/d. This will be maintained for several days before flows recede over the following two weeks, in line with approved recession rates, to return to the 400 ML/d target. During the flow pulse, water will be entirely supplied from the Lake Wetherell outlet. This will see the current release from Lake Menindee (50 ML/d) ceased until further notice.
A critical component of the increased release from Lake Wetherell will be to ensure that the top lakes (Lakes Pamamaroo and Wetherell) are as close as possible to full supply level following the completion of the connectivity trial. To support this objective, releases to Lake Menindee via the Menindee Inlet regulator will be reduced and ceased, likely within the first week of the pulse commencing. These operations are continually reviewed and adaptively managed based on the latest data and updated forecasting.
Users in the weir pool and downstream of Weir 32 are being advised that flows may fluctuate over the coming weeks and should be considerate of the variable changes. WaterNSW is advising customers and landholders to monitor warnings and river levels closely to make necessary arrangements and ensure infrastructure and livestock are not impacted by these changes.
WaterNSW provide the latest operational information and announcements, which are made available on WaterNSW Water Insights portals. You are able to sign up to this service which allows you to set up and receive alerts when the latest updates are released.
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water - Water Community updates can be found HERE.
For updates on water levels within the Weir 32 weir pool, and downstream, please view BOM River Conditions page.
Issued by: Water Planning & Delivery
Contact
E Customer.Helpdesk@waternsw.com.au
T 1300 662 077
