WaterNSW will release more water from Menindee Lakes to make room for the massive inflow of water flowing down inland rivers.
Key points:
- WaterNSW will increase Menindee water emissions on Friday
- Massive volumes of water flow into the lakes from further north
- Farmers and environmentalists want more water released to rejuvenate floodplains
Downstream communities have welcomed the decision, but have said it should have happened much earlier because farmland and crucial wetlands are crying out for water.
Water equivalent to five other Sydney ports is expected to flow into Menindee Lakes in the next two months.
WaterNSW spokesman Tony Webber said there had been a number of exceptional rainfall events in Queensland and New South Wales all the way to the top of Barwon-Darling.
“This has changed our calculations, shifted us to a mode of flooding operations and allowed us to increase emissions,” he said.
The amount of water will increase from 18 gigaliters per day to 23 GL from Friday, which will cause some flooding in Menindee.
Water equivalent to more than three times the capacity of Menindee Lakes has already passed. (Provided by: Graeme McCrabb)
WaterNSW will work with the Bureau of Meteorology to monitor river flows and heights, and NSW State Emergency Services to manage flood impacts.
It was estimated that between eight and ten properties would be affected, including problems with access roads, but at this stage WaterNSW did not believe the houses would be flooded.
“However, it’s an inconvenience for people,” Webber said.
“We need to make sure they are aware that they can make alternative plans.
“We believe we will reach this 23GL / day in early June and these releases as they occur will not be immediately felt downstream, so it will give people the opportunity to take the necessary steps to protect their property to make other arrangements. “
It needs water downstream
Meanwhile, environmental groups and ranchers have said more water should have been released sooner to allow critical wetlands and productive farmland to be flooded.
Mel Gray, an environmental activist based in Dubbo, wants environmental flows to be prioritized. (Supplied)
Mel Gray, of the Nature Conservation Council, said greater water releases were needed to climb the river along the banks and into the floodplains.
“Because this is what triggers the breeding of native fish and this is what will protect the red rubber and black box populations that will not be able to withstand the next drought if they do not now receive a flood,” he said.
Farmers also want higher flows
Downstream farmers also depend on water to prepare them for cultivation and grazing for years to come.
Wusndham Station’s Angus Whyte is eager to see that enough water is released to cause a flood. (Kelly Whyte: User-supplied)
The Angus Whyte rancher owns a property adjacent to the Anabranch / Talyawalka River in the Lower Darling.
He said good flooding is needed after large sections dry out in 2019.
“Every inch above the high flow level of 18,000 megaliters a day causes more floodplains to flood, more trees and plants watered, more food for river life, fish, frogs, seagulls and turtles.” said Whyte.
Water emissions remained low
WaterNSW has been releasing water from Menindee since December last year.
It started at a rate of 23-25 GL / day, a rate that would have resulted in a water spill on the banks of the main channel of the Great Anabranch and thousands of hectares of dry floodplain.
Black Box and River Red Gum trees below Lake Menindee are battling water shortages. (Provided by: Sarah Moles)
But four days later, on December 20, WaterNSW reduced launch volumes to 18 GL / day.
Whyte said this was due to concerns expressed by the State Emergency Services (SES) about the possible flooding of some river huts.
“I don’t express any bad feelings towards anyone from the SES,” he said.
“In fact, if he had been in his place and could have been responsible for property damage, he might have made a similar decision.
“The question I have is, why do we say that our man-made property outperforms the environment every time?”
‘Not enough time,’ say neighbors
Locals have questioned why it has taken so long for WaterNSW to act, as there have been heavy falls upstream for months.
Menindee resident Graeme McCrabb said he believed the city of Menindee had been forgotten.
“I think a three-day notice for people who may be out or who have actions to move in is just not good enough,” McCrabb said.
“We’re in 2022, not 1922.”
Graeme McCrabb, a resident of Menindee, observes that water is pouring down the main dam. (Provided by: Graeme McCrabb)
McCrabb believed it was inevitable that even more water would have to be released, even though WaterNSW is currently setting the limit at 23 GL / day.
“In the coming months, whatever comes down the Wilcannia weir must go down the river, so it can’t be controlled,” he said.
“It simply came to our notice then.
“The rainfall forecast for the next two or three, or even six months, is staggering, so we could be in a bad world here.
“No plan planned.”
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Posted 3 hours, 3 hours ago, Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 2:14 AM, last updated 1 hour, 1 hour ago, Thu, May 26, 2022 at 3:46 AM