Murray Forecast Bleak

photo by PhillipC

Murray inflows between January and March were the lowest in 117 years and the outlook for the next three months is also looking bleak. That’s the grim news in the latest Drought Update issued by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

Chief Executive Mr Rob Freeman said storage levels were low and the rainfall outlook for the next three months over the southern Basin was for drier than average conditions.
“Total inflows for the first three months of this year were 140 GL, slightly lower than the previous historic minimum of 150 GL in January-March 2007,” Mr Freeman said. “Inflows for the 2008-09 water year are currently tracking as the sixth driest on record.
“Despite good rainfall in the north of the Basin during February, the Menindee Lakes received only about 190 GL from the Darling River, increasing the storage level to about 15 per cent of capacity.

Visit the Murrary Darling Basin Authority's website for the full news item.