Juvenile Golden perch sampled in the Menindee Lakes system in autumn 2021. Photo: DPI Fisheries
A wet start
2021 and 2022 have seen high inflows from the northern Murray-Darling Basin via the Barwon-Darling (Baawan-Baaka) into the Menindee Lakes. To manage lake levels and flood risks, large volumes of water have been released by river operators down both the lower Darling-Baaka River and the Great Darling Anabranch.
In the lower Darling-Baaka River, these releases have provided the largest overbank flows in more than 10 years. This has:
- connected the river channel with many of the wetlands and billabongs of the lower Darling-Baaka River floodplain, providing significant benefits for vegetation, waterbirds, aquatic bugs, frogs and other animals that live on the floodplain.
- assisted dispersal of Golden perch (aka Yellowbelly or Callop) from the northern Basin and Menindee Lakes to the lower Darling-Baaka River and ultimately into the River Murray.
- provided a boost in river productivity which in turn generates plenty of food for juvenile fish.
Keep up to date with use of water for the environment, monitoring activities and outcomes via our event updates.
Of particular interest, fish movement tracking is underway, with 350 Golden perch tagged in the Menindee Lakes and River Murray so far, and more to come: Supporting native fish in the Murray Darling Basin. Strategically placed receivers along the lower Darling-Baaka, Anabranch and Murray River will allow scientists to track the movements of the fish.
Lower Darling-Baaka and Great Darling Anabranch event updates
Lower Darling / Baaka flow and Great Darling Anabranch update 1 – for 2022-23
Read the Lower Darling / Baaka flow and Great Darling Anabranch update 1 – for 2022-23
Lower Darling-Baaka and Great Darling Anabranch event update 3 2021-22
Flows continue to help native fish in the lower Darling / Baaka River and the Great Darling Anabranch, and an exciting discovery at the Menindee Lakes.
Lower Darling-Baaka and Great Darling Anabranch event update 2 2021-22
Fish outcomes being targeted in the lower Darling / Baaka River and the Great Darling Anabranch.
Lower Darling-Baaka and Great Darling Anabranch event update 1 2021
After the Menindee Lakes reached capacity in September, water is being released down the Great Darling Anabranch for the first time since 2017.