The Murray–Darling Basin Authority is commencing a major survey of NSW’s famous Menindee Lakes system.

The work, being conducted in partnership with the NSW Government, will provide current, accurate data on lake capacity and how the system has changed over time.

MDBA Senior Director River Modernisation, Dr Joseph Davis, said the work would update the previous survey of lake capacity conducted in 2003, including the volume of water below outlets that cannot be released downstream… often referred to as inactive or dead storage.

“This work will map the shape and depth of the lakebeds, show how water moves through the system and help us understand how sediment may have changed over time,” said Dr Davis.

SA Water will be contracted to carry out the work using specialist surveying equipment, starting with Lake Pamamaroo in early September.

“It will take about two weeks to survey Lake Pamamaroo and surveys of the other lakes, Wetherell, Menindee and Cawndilla, as well as the Weir 32 weir pool, will follow over the coming months. It will not affect lake access or operations in any way,” said Dr Davis.

Feedback and future for the Menindee Lakes

According to Dr Davis, the work will help inform the next steps of the Menindee Review which is currently assessing public submissions and preparing early options for further public feedback.

He said the local community and industry shared a strong interest in having up-to-date information on the lakes.

“We’re leading the Menindee Review on behalf of River Murray governments to consider the future operation and management of the Menindee Lakes,” Dr Davis said.

“While that work continues, we’re updating our baseline understanding through this survey to help inform future decisions about the lakes through the Review.”

NSW DCCEEW Acting Director Water Planning Implementation, Dr Veronica Silberschneider said that feedback from Menindee and Lower Darling communities indicates that it’s been a long time since the last surveys, and erosion and flooding events could have significantly changed the bathymetry.

“We have listened and feel that this work is important to provide confidence in the data we use to base decisions and also to support forward planning through the Menindee Review,” said Dr Silberschneider.

Results from the Menindee Lakes surveys will be used by the NSW Government and the MDBA to make any adjustments to lake storage volumes and will be made publicly available once the work is complete.