In a bid to mitigate the worst effects of the flooding in Queensland, the New South Wales Government has announced plans to increase releases from Menindee Lakes to manage the forecasted inflows.

 

Releases are currently at 20,000 megalitres per day (ML/d), up from 15,000ML/d recently through Weir 32.

 

This will be increased to 29,000ML/d (or some 50 centimetres higher) by early next week. This will affect access to the Pooncarie Road and some low-lying properties.

 

As the enormous scale of flooding in the north moves downstream into the Darling River during February and March, releases from Menindee Lakes will be required to be increased to at least those levels experienced in recent years.

 

The NSW Office of Water together with State Water will continue to monitor release from the Menindee Lakes to the Lower Darling and Great Anabranch. The Office of Water and State Water will issue bulletins throughout the course of the flood and continue to monitor the situation. However, at this stage residents and landowners should make preparations for releases above 30,000ML/d for at least 8 -12 weeks.