The Menindee lakes system is currently holding approximately 1,347 gigalitres (GL), or 76% of its total capacity. Since 4 January 2017, the total water stored in the lakes has reduced by 160GL, of which 98GL was released to meet downstream demands.
Releases have continued to target 5000ML/d at Weir 32 for the past week. In response to lower than expected demands across the Murray system the MDBA has directed releases to be progressively reduced to 4000 ML/day over four days, commencing Thursday 2 February.
With the Menindee Lakes storage volume expected to reduce below 1,300GL within the next week the target flow to South Australia will reduce by 3,000 ML/d. The MDBA will direct how releases across all Murray System storages, including Menindee lakes, are to be adjusted to most efficiently meet demands and maximise water availability for entitlement holders.
Lake Pamamaroo 332GL (123%) remains surcharged, while Lake Wetherell holds 176GL (91%), Lake Menindee holds 380GL (58%) and Lake Cawndilla holds about 458GL (70%).
WaterNSW is continuing to source the majority of the release from Lake Menindee, with a smaller amount from Lake Wetherell. This is because the Lake Menindee outlet is currently capacity constrained, and water from Lake Wetherell is required to meet the flow target at Weir 32.
Releases from Lake Wetherell have provided two outcomes: reduced loss to evaporation and protected the health of the floodplain ecosystem that was inundated by the storage being surcharged. WaterNSW has also taken the opportunity to transfer water from Lake Wetherell to Lake Pamamaroo to reduce the lakes’ total surface area.
WaterNSW is currently assessing the timing for switching releases from the Lake Wetherell outlet to the Lake Pamamaroo outlet, taking in to consideration both long term water availability, and minimisation of evaporation losses.
WaterNSW is continuing to work with the MDBA to plan releases and minimise impacts to long term water availability for Broken Hill town water supply and lower Darling customers, whilst meeting legislative and operational requirements of the Murray — Lower Darling River system.
WaterNSW is also collaborating with NSW DPI Water, the MDBA and OEH on the potential delivery of water to the Darling Anabranch. Primarily flows to the Darling Anabranch are being considered for environmental outcomes, in particular, maximising recent fish breeding outcomes within the Menindee Lakes system. Assessment of potential resource implications are continuing, with a decision on releases to the Darling Anabranch expected within weeks.
Contact WaterNSW: Tony Webber 0428 613 478
Contact MDBA media: 02 6279 0141
Menindee Storage Levels, inflows, outflows and losses at a glance
Storage |
Inflows (ML) from 1 Dec 16 to 25 Jan 17 |
Volume (ML) |
Volume (ML) |
Releases |
Evaporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Wetherell |
208,240 |
228,759 |
176,442 |
84,730 |
43,210 |
| Lake Pamamaroo |
|
351,598 |
332,694 |
0 |
27,902 |
| Lake Menindee |
|
551,327 |
380,164 |
75,910 |
62,192 |
| Lake Cawndilla |
|
291,932 |
457,530 |
0 |
40,304 |
| Total Volume |
208,240 |
1,423,617 |
1,346,830 |
160,640 |
173,608 |
Approximate stream level - stream flow relation for Darling River @ US Weir 32, Pooncarrie and Burtundy
|
US Weir-32 |
Pooncarrie |
Burtundy |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Height (m) |
Flow (ML/day) |
Height (m) |
Flow (ML/day) |
Height (m) |
Flow (ML/day) |
|
1.34 |
200 |
1.74 |
200 |
0.76 |
200 |
|
1.41 |
300 |
1.81 |
300 |
0.80 |
300 |
|
1.52 |
500 |
1.94 |
500 |
0.87 |
500 |
|
1.72 |
1,000 |
2.22 |
1000 |
1.01 |
1000 |
|
1.85 |
1,500 |
2.44 |
1500 |
1.20 |
1500 |
|
1.97 |
2,000 |
2.63 |
2000 |
1.41 |
2000 |
|
2.15 |
3,000 |
2.96 |
3000 |
2.00 |
3000 |
|
2.29 |
4,000 |
3.34 |
4000 |
2.63 |
4000 |
|
2.41 |
5,000 |
3.77 |
5000 |
3.17 |
5000 |
|
2.54 |
6,000 |
4.23 |
6000 |
3.63 |
6000 |
|
2.60 |
6,500 |
4.46 |
6500 |
3.85 |
6500 |
Current dam storage information is available on the WaterNSW website www.waternsw.com.au
Contact WaterNSW: Tony Webber 0428 613 478