The flush of 45 GL from the upper Menindee Lakes through the lower Darling-Baaka River to help clear the blue-green algae has been completed. The results show a significant decrease in blue green algae. Currently, the sites at Tolarno, Pooncarie, Burtundy, and Ellerslie in the Lower Darling Baaka river are on amber alert after two consecutive samplings. However, the sites at Tapio, upstream Pomona, and Pomona at the Boat Ramp need another sampling to lift the red alert.
Current alerts
NSW environmental water is currently being used to maintain a flow target of 400ML/day in the Darling at Weir 32. This is double the required minimum of 200ML/day for this time of year. The higher baseflow aims to maximise native fish recruitment particularly for Murray cod and maintain basic ecosystem functions.
Lock 10 at Wentworth will remain lower for another week as not all of the flush water has pushed through.
492 GL of inflows have already been received into the Lakes since the start of 2024. 30 – 70 GL is expected in the next 2 months.
