Water quality threats – August 2024

A summary of potential threats to water quality in the Murray–Darling Basin's waterways.
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Published: 22 August 2024

Water quality
Alerts

The likelihood of water quality issues typically reduces across cooler months. Conditions remain favourable for blue-green algae within many Basin waterbodies.

Water quality within the Basin is monitored by individual States. Any site-specific alerts, warnings or advisories are issued by those respective States.

Summary of key water quality issues

  • Blue-green algae: There remains an algal risk across much of the Basin, particularly for NSW including the Menindee Lakes and lower Darling (Baaka).
  • Elevated salinity: SA’s southern Coorong continues to experience elevated salinity levels that may adversely impact biodiversity.

    More information on algal levels can be found from the respective State government on our Report water quality issues or fish deaths page.
     
Location Acid Sulfate Soils Algal Blooms (BGA) Blackwater Bushfire Contamination Elevated Salinity High Turbidity Low Dissolved Oxygen
Border Rivers-Moonie Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Condamine-Balonne Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Warrego-Paroo-Nebine Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Gwydir-Border Rivers Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Namoi Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Lower Macquarie–Castlereagh–Bogan Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Upper Macquarie–Cudgegong Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Barwon-Darling Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Menindee Lakes Unlikely Likely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Lower Darling (Baaka) (Menindee to Burtundy) Unlikely Likely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Lachlan (Upper) Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Lachlan (Lower) Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Murrumbidgee (Upper) Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Murrumbidgee (Mid) Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Murrumbidgee (Lower) Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Edward-Wakool Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Murray (upstream of Hume Dam) Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Murray (Hume to Yarrawonga) Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Murray (Yarrawonga to Euston) Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Murray (Euston to Lock 10) Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Murray (Lock 10 to SA Border) Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Kiewa Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Ovens Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Goulburn-Broken Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Campaspe Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Avoca-Loddon Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Grampians-Wimmera-Mallee Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Murray (SA Border to Waikerie) Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Murray (Waikerie to Lock 1) Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Murray (SA below Lock 1) Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Lower Lakes Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely
Coorong Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely

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