DARLING TO CONNECT WITH MURRAY THIS EASTER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS

The Darling River will link-up with the River Murray this Easter for the first time in two years as flows pushing down the southern section of the system finally reach Wentworth.

Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said the news was a relief for parts of the state that have suffered through the worst of this ongoing drought.

“The flow, generated by rain over the past two months, is the best to occur naturally in the Barwon-Darling since the floods of 2016,” Mrs Pavey said.

"Between 390 and 420 gigalitres of water is estimated to flow into the Menindee Lakes over the coming weeks.”
That amount has been enough for WaterNSW to restart flows to the lower Darling, providing a much-needed reprieve for drought-stricken farmers in south-west New South Wales.

While not wanting to detract from the good news, Mrs Pavey warned against misinterpreting this as an end to the state’s crippling drought.

“We mustn’t be fooled into thinking this brings these regions out of the drought,” Mrs Pavey said.

“It’s going to take more rain over the coming months to really take the pressure off these areas.”  

The flows are playing a crucial role in the rejuvenation of the Murray-Darling’s ecological health and providing respite to native fish as the flows re-connect refuge pools. 

A highlight reel from Minister Pavey’s visit to Menindee, 18 March 2020 can be found here.