The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) is working on a planned release of water to the lower Darling River.

The department says it is consulting with landholders and water authorities ahead of a planned release of up to 250 gigalitres from the Menindee Lakes.

The lakes have recently seen their most significant inflows in years, allowing authorities to call for releases.

“The environmental water release is aiming to assist in maintaining water quality and habitat conditions suitable for the Murray Cod and up to 10 other native fish species in the Lower Darling River,” an OEH spokesperson said.

“The flow will buffer the current low ... oxygen levels and hypoxic conditions occurring in the Murray River and provide an area of refuge for native fish.”

WaterNSW has not yet approved the request.

The Menindee Lakes will continue to provide drinking water to the city of broken Hill until a pipeline from the Murray River is constructed in 2018.

Environmental releases from the lakes have not gone done well in Broken Hill in the past, with many locals blaming previous releases for contributing to the lakes running dry in recent years.

“OEH is also working closely with water storage managers to develop a water order that can be delivered with minimal impact on water storage in the Menindee Lakes, particularly the upper lakes that are important for drought reserve,” the spokesperson said.