River levels at Menindee Town are expected to exceed the minor flood level (8.50 metres) from Friday night as WaterNSW increases the releases from the Menindee Lake.
WaterNSW are responding to changed forecasts in upstream inflows that now exceed the capacity for storage at Menindee Lakes.
Releases will be increased from 18,000ML/day to 23,000ML/day and should remain at this flow for between two to three weeks. Releases are expected to reach 23,000ML/day on June 6.
Releases will be increased in increments, 500ML/day, this phased approach is to ensure the safety of the Lower Darling and Menindee communities.
River levels at Menindee Town may reach 9.00 metres around June 6 when the releases are stabilised at the 23,000ML/day flow rate.
What we are expecting:
Based on the prediction provided by the Bureau of Meteorology:
Menindee
• The Darling River at Menindee is expected to exceed the minor flood level (8.50 m) Friday night into Saturday.
• The river level is likely to reach around 9.00 metres around 6 June with minor flooding.
• At this height:
o Low-lying properties in Budgie Street, Irrigation Road, Pooncarie Road and Loop Road may become isolated due to the closure of local roads.
o Floodwaters may inundate low lying areas of Cric Park.
o Boat ramp access may become inundated.
o Low-lying farming land may become affected by floodwater. Now is a good time to move pumps, farm machinery and livestock to higher ground.
Pooncarie
• The Darling River at Pooncarie may reach the minor flood level (6.80 m) towards the end of the second week in June. Further rises are possible.
Burtundy
• The Darling River at Burtundy may reach the minor flood level (6.10 m) towards the end of the third week in June. Further rises are possible.
