Menindee Lakes water levels drop to lowest in five years as experts warn of mass fish deaths

NSW government imposes water restrictions after Menindee water volumes fall below 2021 levels

Water levels at Menindee Lakes in western New South Wales have fallen to their lowest point in five years, prompting the state government to impose upstream water use restrictions as experts warn of potential mass fish deaths over summer.

Combined storage at Menindee Lakes fell below 480 gigalitres earlier this month, the first time since 2021.

In the upper Menindee Lakes, water volumes have dropped below 250GL, a level that triggers temporary state water restrictions across parts of the northern Murray-Darling basin.

The restrictions limit access for some irrigators and are intended to preserve water for critical human needs and the environment.