The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), in partnership with the NSW Government, has initiated a new survey of the Menindee Lakes System to obtain 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.
“From next week, people around Lake Pamamaroo may see the work boat and crew on the water,” said Dr Davis.
“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.”
Dr Davis said the work would help inform the next steps of the Menindee Review which is currently reviewing public submissions and preparing early options for further public feedback.
Results from the surveys will be used by the NSW Government and the MDBA to make any adjustments to lake storage volumes and will be publicly available once the work is complete.
