Comment on Finlayson

Abstract

The recent commentary by Finlayson et al. proposed future management pathways for the Lower Lakes of the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB), including changed barrage operations to facilitate increased tidal exchange. Although we acknowledge that barrage operations require ongoing adaptive management, we present evidence that there are risks with increased opening of them under current reduced inflows. Maintaining a predominantly freshwater system, and thus its values and services, by controlled barrage operations is justifiable and sustainable in the long term.