Menindee Lakes locals fear more fish kills as hot summer forecast

Residents living near the Menindee Lakes are skeptical that a management review will address their concerns, as an El Niño summer is predicted, potentially leading to more fish kills and the lakes drying up once again. The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is set to release draft options for review before the end of the year, with a final report to follow the next year.

The lakes, vital to Sunset Strip man Darryn Clifton's childhood memories, have experienced significant changes. In February, Clifton discovered 100,000 dead fish in Lake Menindee, highlighting the need for attention to revive the river. With the forecast of another hot summer and reduced inflows, fears of further fish kills and potential lake drying up grow stronger.

Clifton emphasizes that the mismanagement of water resources, including extraction by northern basin irrigators and prioritization of South Australia's needs, compounded by the Environmental Water Holder's decisions, exacerbates the issue. He emphasizes that Menindee Lakes consistently receives the least amount of water, leaving locals feeling marginalized.

The ephemeral lakes, located in outback New South Wales, are essential for the Upper and Lower Darling Rivers' connection. The MDBA is reviewing the lakes' operating rules, which have remained largely unchanged since the 1960s. The review has received around 160 public submissions, including Clifton's, aiming to establish a long-term vision for the lakes.

However, locals remain unconvinced that the review will resolve their concerns, with grape grower Steve Howse expressing the lack of water security affecting his vines' fruiting cycle. He argues that prioritizing water for secure access to the top two lakes would provide growers with two years' worth of safe water without necessitating further changes.