A GLIMMER of hope has been offered to Menindee's dire water crisis, as substantial flows are expected to reach the town for the first time in three years.

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) anticipated long awaited flows to the northern parts of NSW are expected to meet critical needs along the full length of the Barwon-Darling River, and the target of 60 to 70 gigalitres in Lake Wetherell.