Releases have dropped from 6500 to 5000 megalitres per day in accordance with planned operations and are expected to remain around this rate until at least 27 January.
The MDBA is working closely with WaterNSW to ensure its release pattern allows WaterNSW to store as much water as possible in the top two lakes, in order to meet demand in the River Murray as required by the water sharing arrangements of the New South Wales, Victorian, South Australian and Commonwealth governments.
The MDBA head of River Management, David Dreverman, said ensuring the water sharing arrangements were followed was an important part of maximising water security and hence the economic production of the Basin.
"Communities, farmers and the environment in the southern basin, from the Riverina to Sunraysia and the Lower Lakes, rely on the water stored in Menindee Lakes to contribute to their water security. The less water is drawn from Menindee Lakes, the lower their water allocations would be," Mr Dreverman said.
"Given the very low storage levels in the lakes from 2014 to 2016, it is also understandable that people in the Broken Hill and Menindee area and those along the Lower Darling are concerned that water is retained in the lakes.
"That's why water that's left in Menindee Lakes is stored as efficiently as possible to provide for Broken Hill's water supply and the needs of the Lower Darling as a drought contingency. Once the volume of water in the lakes reaches 480 gigalitres, releases for the Murray system stop. This is a key component of the Murray–Darling Basin Agreement, which lays down the rules."
Releases from Menindee Lakes increased on 9 January from 1800 megalitres per day (ML/day) to 6500 ML/day on Friday 13 January. They reduced this week to 5000 ML/day and will remain at this rate until at least 27 January. WaterNSW and the MDBA continue to work together to analyse demands, lake levels and release rates into the future.
The lakes are not expected to fall below about 600 gigalitres by the end of May, which would leave more than the volume of Sydney Harbour.
Release rates are subject to change and will depend on operational conditions.
ENDS
For more information, contact the MDBA Media office at media@mdba.gov.au or 02 6279 0141
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