A catchment is an area of land, usually surrounded by hills or mountains, where water naturally collects. The boundaries which form a catchment are determined by where rivers run and where the water falls.
Over the coming months, we’ll be delving deeper into the characteristics, industry and people that make up the many catchments of the Basin and why they’re so special.
Did you know?
Everyone lives in a catchment! While every catchment is unique and has a different climate, landscape, environment, community, and water needs, we all have a common purpose – to work together to ensure we protect rivers, for generations.
Fast facts on the central Murray catchment
Location
Spanning across the country on both sides of the River Murray, the central Murray catchment is a unique stretch of land that is home to an intricate network of creeks, floodrunners and billabongs. Situated low in the southern Basin, it neighbours many other catchments:
- Loddon–Avoca
- Campaspe
- Goulburn Broken
- Ovens
- Kiewa
- Mitta Mitta
- Upper Murray
- Murrumbidgee
Main storages
- Yarrawonga Weir (118 GL)
- Torrumbarry Weir (37 GL)
- Mid-Murray storages (58 GL)
- Mildura Weir (37 GL)
Cultural significance
The region is home to the Wiradjuri people, with their traditional lands extending from the River Murray to the Macquarie River in the north, and west to Balranald. East from the Murray and south into the Great Dividing Range, is the traditional land of the Dhudhuroa and Waywurru Nations.
Major centres
The central catchment starts in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range east of the cities of Albury and Wodonga – 2 cities that straddle the New South Wales and Victorian border. Albury Wodonga provides a comprehensive range of health, education, industries and agriculture, and professional services to the region. Combined with the other major centres, the catchment is home to more than 160,000 Basin community members.
What’s on in the central Murray catchment?
This year our annual regional water conference, River Reflections, will be taking place in the central Murray catchment, in the beautiful city of Albury, New South Wales on 19 to 20 June.
This year’s conference theme looks at the art of the possible when tackling complex problems, and using the wisdom of the collective to shape a way forward together.
The conference is an opportunity for the diverse communities and industries of the Basin to listen and learn from one another, sharing what is known and exploring the latest information to ensure rivers for generations.
Secure your ticket and find more information at 2024 River Reflections conference.
Visit the Albury Wodonga Visitor Information Centre to explore other events in the catchment’s major centre.