Menindee Lakes

The Menindee Lakes are located about 110 kilometres south east of Broken Hill, in western NSW.

Aboriginal people have lived in the Menindee Lakes area for thousands of years. In a very arid and dry area, the Menindee Lakes and Darling River became a lifeline for early European explorers. Major Thomas Mitchell, Charles Sturt and Bourke and Wills all used the lakes on expeditions between 1835 and 1860.

Although there were hopes that the Darling River could be used for navigation, water flows proved unreliable. For example, the paddle steamer Jane Eliza took 3 years (from 1883 to 1886) to complete a voyage between Morgan in South Australia and Bourke in New South Wales.

Using the Menindee Lakes for water conservation was first proposed in 1894, but it wasn’t until 1949 that the Menindee Water Conservation Act was passed in the New South Wales parliament, and work started. Major works were finished in 1960 and were completed in 1968.

For many years the Menindee Lakes were used a the main water supply to Broken Hill, but in recent years a pipeline from Broken Hill to Wentworth was built to give Broken Hill a more secure water supply.

In times of drought the Menindee Lakes can be very dry and empty, and in times of plentiful rain they can be full. At present – October 2022 – they are at about 120% of normal capacity. But in whatever mood the lakes are, they are a magnificent place to visit.

A Hema regional map is the ideal way to find your way around outback NSW.

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The Menindee Lakes are full! The abundant water contrasts with the dead trees as a reminder of drought times when the lakes are empty.
The Menindee Lakes are full! The abundant water contrasts with the dead trees as a reminder of drought times when the lakes are empty. September 2022. Copyright © Ian Collins
Sunset over the Menindee Lakes.
A dramatic photo capturing the beauty of the sunset over the Menindee Lakes. The height of the water level can be seen on the tree in the foreground, which is normally on dry ground. Copyright © Ian Collins.

A Hema regional map is the ideal way to find your way around outback NSW.

Lake Menindee from the lock.
The Menindee Lakes are not always full! In times of drought there is not much water at all. Lake Menindee is the largest of the Menindee lakes, and there is normally water into the distance. August 2019. Copyright © Willem Schultink.
Menindee Lakes sunset. The lakes are full!
Menindee Lakes sunset. The lakes are full! A dramatic, moody pic. September 2022.
Copyright © Ian Collins.

A Hema regional map is the ideal way to find your way around outback NSW.

Menindee Lakes sunset. The lakes are full!
Menindee Lakes sunset. The lakes are full! September 2022. Copyright © Ian Collins.
A peaceful, dramatic scene! Sunset over Menindee Lakes in a non drought year.
A peaceful, dramatic scene! Sunset over Menindee Lakes in a non drought year. Copyright © Ian Collins.

A Hema regional map is the ideal way to find your way around outback NSW.

Cawndilla Creek joins Lake Copi Hollow and Lake Cawndilla. It is kept at the reasonably full level of Lake Copi Hollow by locks.
Cawndilla Creek joins Lake Copi Hollow and Lake Cawndilla. It is kept at the reasonably full level of Lake Copi Hollow even in a drought year by locks. August 2019. Copyright © Willem Schultink.
The dry aridness of the country is evident in this pic.
The dry aridness of the country around Menindee is evident in this pic. August 2019.
Copyright © Willem Schultink.

A Hema regional map is the ideal way to find your way around outback NSW.

The channel from Lake Copi Hollow to Lake Menindee
The channel from Lake Copi Hollow to Lake Menindee. Note the railway bridge in the middle ground, and the road bridge in the background. Photo taken from the main weir wall. August 2019.
Copyright © Willem Schultink.
Lake Menindee is reduced to just a puddle in 2019.
Lake Menindee is reduced to just a puddle in 2019. All of the Menindee lakes were virtually dry in 2019 after years of drought. Only Lake Copi Hollow, a small lake, was kept reasonably full by the use of locks. August 2019.
Copyright © Willem Schultink.
Sunset on Lake Copi Hollow, from the caravan park.
Sunset on Lake Copi Hollow, from the caravan park. We camped here for several days in August 2019. Lake Copi Hollow, a reasonably small lake, was the only one to have water in it during the drought. August 2019.
Copyright © Willem Schultink.

The Broken Hill Speedboat Club uses Lake Copi Hollow for its events. The Copi Hollow Caravan Park is located on the banks of Lake Copi Hollow, as part of the club’s premises. A great place to visit!

A Hema regional map is the ideal way to find your way around outback NSW.

The dryness of the Menindee lakes in 2019 is apparent in this shot taken from one of the locks.
The dryness of the Darling River looking south from the weir wall at Lake Wetherill in 2019 is apparent in this shot. A few days before this we were camped at Pooncarie on the Darling River about 100 kilometres south. There the Darling River was so dry there were vehicles driving on the river bed. August 2019.
Copyright © Willem Schultink.
Menindee Lakes sunset. The lakes are full!
Menindee Lakes sunset. The lakes are full! The trees are normally on dry ground. September 2022.
Copyright © Ian Collins.

A Hema regional map is the ideal way to find your way around outback NSW.

Aussie Stories - telling about Australia in words and pictures

Aussie Stories - telling about Australia in words and pictures

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