Menindee Lakes water levels drop to lowest in five years as experts warn of mass fish deaths
News Source
โขWed, 28 Oct 2026 14:00:07 GMT
๐ฐ What Happened
Water levels at Menindee Lakes in far western New South Wales have fallen to their lowest point in five years. Combined storage dropped below 480 gigalitres earlier this month. That is the first time it has been that low since 2021.
The state government has responded by putting temporary limits on water use upstream. In the upper Menindee Lakes, volumes fell below 250 gigalitres. That is the trigger point for restrictions across parts of the northern Murray-Darling Basin.
The limits cut access for some irrigators. The aim is to keep enough water for towns, farms and the river environment.
๐ The Backstory
Menindee has seen this before, and it ended badly. In 2018, 2019 and 2023, millions of fish died in the lakes and along the Darling-Baaka River. Fish kills happen when water gets low, warm and short of oxygen.
Rain has been scarce across the catchment for the past 12 months. Experts say the risk of another bad summer grows unless flows down the Darling-Baaka improve.
The lakes are a key part of the Murray-Darling Basin, the huge river system that waters much of inland eastern Australia.
๐ฏ Why It Matters
Menindee shows how one dry year can hit a whole town. Less water means stressed farms, worried locals and a river that can turn deadly for fish.
Water levels at Menindee Lakes in far western New South Wales have fallen to their lowest point in five years. Combined storage dropped below 480 gigalitres earlier this month. That is the first time it has been that low since 2021.
The state government has responded by putting temporary limits on water use upstream. In the upper Menindee Lakes, volumes fell below 250 gigalitres. That is the trigger point for restrictions across parts of the northern Murray-Darling Basin.
The limits cut access for some irrigators. The aim is to keep enough water for towns, farms and the river environment.
Menindee has seen this before, and it ended badly. In 2018, 2019 and 2023, millions of fish died in the lakes and along the Darling-Baaka River. Fish kills happen when water gets low, warm and short of oxygen.
Rain has been scarce across the catchment for the past 12 months. Experts say the risk of another bad summer grows unless flows down the Darling-Baaka improve.
The lakes are a key part of the Murray-Darling Basin, the huge river system that waters much of inland eastern Australia.
Menindee shows how one dry year can hit a whole town. Less water means stressed farms, worried locals and a river that can turn deadly for fish.