资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

Commonwealth Environmental Water Office
MEDIA RELEASE
30 April 2021

A small release of water for the environment from Menindee Lakes will begin this week to give young fish living in the lower Darling/Baaka an extra helping hand.

With the recent rain from the north making its way into Menindee Lakes, environmental water holders will top-up river flows to provide a little extra food and habitat to help baby fish grow.

Interim Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Hilton Taylor, said this flow will build on the good outcomes achieved with last spring’s environmental flow. 

“Monitoring has found young Murray cod and golden perch in the river and this water will increase their chances of growing into healthy, breeding adult fish”, Mr Taylor said.

“The flow will support the connection between the north and the south of the Basin by ensuring the water coming down the Barwon-Darling will make it all the way to the Murray River”, said Mr Taylor.

Paula D’Santos from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) is managing the flow and said the inflows into Menindee Lakes have presented a welcome but unexpected opportunity.

“It’s great to be able to give growing fish extra support this winter. We’ll also work with river operators to ensure any operational releases are delivered in a way that complements our efforts with water for the environment to rebuild the lower Baaka’s native fish population”, Ms D’Santos said.

Water managers and scientists will continue talking with local communities, including First Nations about the flow over the coming weeks.

This work would not be possible without the collaboration and support of our water delivery partners—NSW DPIE, NSW DPI Fisheries, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Arthur Rylah Institute, WaterNSW and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

FAST FACTS

• 15 to 20 gigalitres of water (from The Living Murray and Commonwealth environmental water accounts) is proposed to be released from the Menindee Lakes to support young Murray cod and golden perch.
• The autumn release will increase flows from water sharing plan minimums of 200 ML/day to 500 ML/day from 1 May to 30 June 2021. This may extend beyond 1 July subject to further consideration by environmental water holders in consultation with fish ecologists and community, including Traditional Owners.

• This flow will build on the 25 gigalitres of water for the environment that was delivered to the lower Darling/Baaka in spring and summer and supported native fish spawning and movement.

Baby Murray cod from the lower Darling/Baaka during the March 2021 fish survey. Photo: DPI Fisheries.

Baby Murray cod from the lower Darling/Baaka during the March 2021 fish survey. Photo: DPI Fisheries.