Author(s): J. R. Wall
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Keywords: Water savings; Menindee Lakes; Broken Hill
Abstract: The Menindee Lakes Storage (MLS) is the main storage in the lower Murray-Darling Basin and plays a key role in meeting South Australia's monthly water requirements, as well as providing water for local irrigators, stock and domestic use and Broken Hill. The MLS is jointly managed by NSW government and the MDBA and its operation results in high evaporation losses. The Lakes are also an iconic environmental, cultural heritage and tourism asset. Studies have been undertaken to examine options to secure substantial water savings from the NSW Darling River Basin, particularly, Menindee Lakes, for the environment. This paper outlines the results of these studies and explores potential water savings schemes associated with the Lakes and the upper Darling Basin, Government policies and initiatives, including the Basin Plan, environmental flows for the Lakes and downstream environs, and water supply options for Broken Hill. Impacts on the water savings from Government policies and climate change are also addressed.
Year: 2011