Cloudy with a chance of odour: Menindee Lake algae flush coming down the River Murray

NSW has commenced a water release to flush out non-toxic blue-green algae expected to reach the River Murray.

The River Murray may appear cloudier and smellier than usual over the next week as water is flushed through from the upper Menindee Lakes to clear out a blue-green algae infestation.

Co-ordinated by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, the environmental water release commenced earlier this week with the mainly non-toxic blue-green algae expected to reach Wentworth in coming days and the SA border early next week.

“The release is part of a trial to improve environmental connectivity in the Murray-Darling Basin, and is unlikely to pose any health risks to river users,” a spokeswoman for the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) said.

“While River Murray water could appear cloudier than usual, and have an odour, it is not expected to cause any risks to public health.

“SA Water is currently sampling the lower Darling River to inform water treatment processes and river operations.

“The ongoing monitoring will inform whether there is any need for future public health warnings, in line with established protocols, should they be required.”

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DEW officers are also working with the MDBA, environmental water holders, and other agencies to minimise water quality impacts by mixing and diluting water from other storages, adjusting weir pool levels, and diverting some to Lake Victoria.

The NSW Government is optimistic the flush will help tackle the blue green algae problem, however it is not guaranteed to work due to the magnitude of the infestation.

“This has not been an easy task, but I am pleased that all the Basin states are on-board and bringing the trial forward will help reset the river and tackle this severe blue green algae problem,” NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said.

“We need to use every tool at our disposal to try and get results and address this challenging blue-green algae event because it appears the cooler weather, which normally puts an end to algal blooms, is not having the effect it previously has.”