The last four years have been the driest on record across much of the northern Murray-Darling Basin, with parts of the Barwon River not having flowed for over 60 days (as of December 2020).
Commonwealth water for the environment and NSW planned water for the environment is being provided along a 200+km reach of the Barwon River to help native fish.
For more information, please contact your nearest Local Engagement Officer:
Northern waterhole top-up event updates
Northern waterhole top-up event update 4
This is the final update from the Northern waterhole top-up. The Northern waterhole top-up connected the Barwon-Darling all the way from Mungindi to Menindee Lakes and added more oxygen into the river to help native fish over the hot summer months.
Northern waterhole top-up event update 3
The Northern waterhole top-up has reconnected waterholes and provided drought refuge for native fish and animals. As a result of storms, some flow from the top-up is now expected to reach Bourke by the end of January.
Northern waterhole top-up event update 2
Recent rainfall has resulted in unregulated flows into the Barwon River. As of 5 January 2021, unregulated flows have provided 27 gigalitres of flow past Walgett. The Northern Waterhole Top-up will provide an additional 8 gigalitres to the flow, which will top up waterholes and improve water quality, to help native fish survive following recent hot and dry conditions.
Northern waterhole top-up event update 1
This update provides information regarding water for the environment being released to help native fish following the Barwon River ceasing to flow in early summer 2020.
Flows at Presbury weir, January 2021. Photo: University of New England.