Menindee Lakes: Storage hits five-year low as fish kill warnings mount

Water levels at the Menindee Lakes in western New South Wales have fallen to their lowest point in five years, triggering state-mandated restrictions on upstream usage. The drop in storage has intensified concerns among scientists and local residents about a repeat of the mass fish deaths that have plagued the Darling-Baaka River in recent years.

Combined storage at the lakes fell below 480 gigalitres earlier this month, the first time since 2021. Volumes in the upper sections dropped under 250 gigalitres, a threshold that forces the government to limit access for certain irrigators. These measures aim to preserve water for human consumption and environmental health after a year of low rainfall across the catchment.

Prof. Jamie Pittock of the Australian National University and the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists stated that government officials are predicting fish kills with a high degree of certainty unless flows improve. Pittock argued that the system requires a major rainfall event and state intervention to stop irrigators from pumping the initial runoff.

Graeme McCrabb, a Menindee resident who helped sound the alarm during the 2018 and 2019 disasters, described the current status as "drought reserve volumes." He noted that this level requires water conservation at all costs. While McCrabb expressed hope that recent Queensland rains might provide some replenishment, he warned that the risk of die-offs would remain very high in January or February without additional inflows. "I’m worried about fish kills to be honest," McCrabb said, adding that the situation becomes sad when the water takes on a green algal appearance.

The state government established an expert panel under the northern basin connectivity program two years ago following the 2023 election. The panel recommended limiting upstream overextraction during dry periods to maintain flows. Despite delivering its final report, the state has not yet implemented these recommendations.

McCrabb expressed disappointment that agencies have made no policy changes to improve water quality outcomes since the previous fish kills. The New South Wales water minister, Rose Jackson, has been sought for comment on the current restrictions and the pending implementation of the panel's advice.