River communities saved by environmental water release

The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Dr Simon Banks, at the junction of the Warrego and Darling Rivers just upstream of Louth in October 2025. Photo contributed

Story: Tricia Duffield and Rod Corfe

Photo: Contributed/TWH

Towns and villages along the Barwon-Darling River have been saved from possible harsh water restrictions due to a release of ‘environmental water’ from dams on the tributaries upstream.

Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke, Louth and Tilpa are currently seeing a slight rise in the river due to water released from Glenlyon Dam on the Border Rivers and Copeton Dam on the Gwydir River.

With scorching heat and little rainfall over the summer months, water restrictions have been looming large for communities along the Barwon-Darling system which has been under stress with declining water quality as the drought deepens and temperatures rise.

Releases of Commonwealth environmental water from dams in the Border Rivers and the Gwydir have delivered a ‘summer refresh’ which will continue to the end of February. For most communities along the Barwon-Darling system, the increase in the flows will mean water restrictions won’t be imposed, at least for now. […]

Read more local news in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week!