资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

Commonwealth Environmental Water Office
MEDIA RELEASE
15 September 2020

Late summer rainfall in the Northern Basin has made its way into Menindee Lakes, helping restart the lower Darling/Baaka for the first time in two years – but native fish still need a helping hand to recover.

To support native fish, a small environmental flow release from Menindee Lakes will start this week.

The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Jody Swirepik, said the flow will improve the condition of the lower Darling/Baaka and help Murray cod breed this spring – their first chance since the devastating fish deaths of 2018/19.

The local community, with NSW DPI Fisheries, provided crucial on-ground support to help keep native fish alive during the drought, using aerators and relocating stressed fish. Despite these efforts, a substantial number of fish perished. The planned flow will help the remaining fish by providing food and the right conditions for breeding. Freshwater shrimp, mussels, and smaller native fish will also enjoy the benefits of the flow.

“Environmental flows in 2016-17 supported one of the strongest Murray cod spawning responses in 20 years in the lower Darling/Baaka – so we know that the approach can work,” Ms Swirepik said.

“This flow is the result of months of careful planning by state and Commonwealth water holders, in partnership with river operators, communities and fish ecologists. This has helped strike the important balance between flows for fish, habitat in Menindee Lakes and long‑term water security for the community,” she said.

“We support better flows for the length of the Baaka. When our Baaka is healthy, we are healthy. Flows don’t only help fish - they help people too. Our communities need positivity, especially with corona virus impacting. A boost to the river will boost our well-being,” Barkindji elder Badger Bates said.

Local fisherman, Graeme McCrabb agrees. “If ever fish need help, it’s now. These fish have been through a lot – it’s good to see support for the hundreds of fish local volunteers helped relocate last summer. This water is desperately needed to help them breed this spring.”

Kate McBride’s family runs Tolarno Station on the banks of the lower Darling/Baaka. “We recognise the need for this flow to support the Murray cod population recover after the horrific fish kills. The community have been consulted in planning and we recognise the flow has been designed to minimise impact to drought reserves,” she said.

Water managers and scientists from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) - EES and NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries will continue talking with communities in the region about the flow over the coming months.

This work would not be possible without the co-operation of the community and collaboration and support of our water delivery partners—NSW DPIE EES, NSW DPI Fisheries, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Arthur Rylah Institute, WaterNSW and the Murray Darling Basin Authority.

For more information go to The Lower Baaka Spring Flow 2020-21

FAST FACTS

• The flow will start in September with up to 400 megalitres a day being delivered from Menindee Lakes (Lake Pamamaroo) through to mid‑January 2021. Flow rates may change if monitoring shows it’s needed to help native fish.
• Real-time monitoring by NSW Fisheries, before, during and after the flow will help us understand how the flows are helping the fish. Flow rates will be adjusted based on the results of fish monitoring. This real-time information means we can use water strategically to help fish when they need it most.
• An initial 16 gigalitres will be available for this flow from a total available storage of 464 gigalitres (as at 14 September 2020). Up to 26 GL may be used if monitoring shows more is needed to support the fish.

• Detailed modelling of the Menindee Lakes water resource by WaterNSW has been used to help design a flow that would have a minimal effect on the drought reserve.

Menindee Lakes at sunset. Photo: Koenraad Van Landeghem/DAWE