Menindee Lakes water levels hit five-year low as experts warn of mass fish deaths
Water storage in the Menindee Lakes in New South Wales, Australia, has fallen to its lowest level since 2021, and the state has imposed water restrictions. Experts warn that mass fish deaths could occur over the summer.
Water levels in the Menindee Lakes in western New South Wales, Australia, have dropped to their lowest point in five years. The state government has responded with upstream water use restrictions, while experts warn that mass fish deaths could occur this summer.
Earlier this month, combined storage in the lakes fell below 480 gigalitres, the first time that has happened since 2021. In the upper lakes, volumes have slipped below 250GL, the threshold that triggers temporary state water restrictions across parts of the northern Murray-Darling basin. The measures limit access for some irrigators and aim to preserve water for critical human needs and the environment.
The situation follows low rainfall in the catchment over the past 12 months. Experts say the risk of summer fish kills is growing unless flows down the Darling-Baaka River into the lakes improve. Menindee suffered catastrophic fish kills in 2018, 2019 and 2023, when millions of dead fish washed up along stretches of the river.
Views from scientists and locals
Prof Jamie Pittock of the Australian National University and the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists said government officials predict with some certainty that fish kills will occur this summer unless more water flows into the river. He said a major rainfall event is needed, and that state governments should stop irrigators pumping out the first flush of water.
Graeme McCrabb, one of the first Menindee residents to raise the alarm over the 2018–19 disasters, said the lakes had reached "drought reserve volumes", meaning water conservation at all costs. He hopes recent rain in Queensland will bring some replenishment, noting that small inflows are now crossing the state border. Without inflows, he said, the risk of fish kills would be very high in January or February, though a milder summer would reduce it.
Recommendations not yet implemented
After winning the 2023 state election, Premier Chris Minns and senior ministers visited Menindee and committed to investigate the fish kills. An expert panel was set up under the northern basin connectivity program. It recommended limiting upstream overextraction during dry periods to maintain tributary flows to the lakes. The panel delivered its final report two years ago, but the state government has yet to implement it. McCrabb said he was disappointed, arguing that agencies have made no policy changes to improve water quality since the fish kills. Comment has been sought from NSW water minister Rose Jackson.
