The Menindee Lakes, once a vital water source in NSW, have seen their levels drop drastically. In 1971, Australia produced 81,000 bales of cotton. By 2012, this surged to 5.3 million bales—a massive increase in a water-intensive crop that has reduced flows into the lakes. As cotton farming expanded, the region’s natural water supply has struggled, putting the Menindee Lakes and surrounding ecosystems at risk.

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https://www.savemenindeelakes.org.au/the_history