FEARS over potential flooding at Menindee have abated, according to a WaterNSW spokesperson.
“There is sufficient room to capture all the arriving water in the lake system, so flood operations will not be required in Menindee,” the spokesperson said.
“Rather it’s a welcome return to water security in the region.”
The Menindee Lakes, including Menindee, Pamamaroo, Cawndilla and Wetherell have a combined capacity of 1.731 million megalitres, or about three and a half times the capacity of Sydney Harbour.
According to WaterNSW, as of Monday, May 26, the lakes were at 63.5 per cent of their total storage capacity.
In a media release last week, WaterNSW said the flow of water travelling down the Darling Baaka River system after heavy rainfall events in the northern parts of the basin in March and April had peaked at Wilcannia.
“As floodwater in the Paroo River continues to make its way through this unregulated system, Water NSW are continuing to work closely with other agencies including the Bureau of Meteorology and NSW State Emergency Service to monitor and assess any potential additional inflows this event may contribute to the Menindee Lake System over the coming months,” the release said.
With the lakes filling up, Menindee and Sunset Strip residents have seen favourable fishing conditions recently.
Local photographer Geoff Looney said conditions for fishing were great a few weeks ago and have eased off with more flows coming down, though he still managed to catch a few big ones this week.
“I did catch three golden perch at the Pamamaroo Inlet Regulator,” he said.
Looney said he plans to give the perch to a friend to eat.
