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Print date: 23 June 2025
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The Basin
The Basin

The Murray–Darling Basin is in Australia's south-east. It is a system of interconnected rivers and lakes.
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Basin location

The Murray–Darling Basin is a one million square kilometre area in the south east of Australia.

Catchments

The Basin is one interconnected system of rivers made up of different catchments.

Landscapes

The landscapes of the Basin are varied and extreme. There are subtropical rainforests in the north, southern alpine meadows and snowfields and western semi-arid deserts.
Why the Murray–Darling Basin matters

The Basin is home to 2.4 million Australians, internationally significant wetlands, First Nations and is Australia’s food bowl.

Plants and wildlife

The rivers and lakes of the Basin support unique habitats critical to waterbirds, native fish, reptiles and protected wetlands.
Our reliance on the Basin

Water is needed for farming, communities, industries, indigenous cultural practices, and plants and animals. These competing needs must be balanced for a sustainable future.
Explore the Basin
Science and knowledge
Science and knowledge

We’re continually improving our understanding of the complex connections between climate, river flows, and river-related outcomes for communities, industries, and the environment.
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Basin Condition Monitoring Program

Monitors and reports on economic, social, cultural and environmental conditions in the Basin.

Hydrometric Networks and Remote Sensing Program

Projects to enhance the monitoring of water in the northern Basin.

Remote sensing and satellite imagery

Using technology to monitor river flows and how ecosystems respond over time.
Murray–Darling Water and Environment Research Program

An Australian Government initiative to strengthen scientific knowledge of the Basin with new information, innovation and tools.

Monitoring Northern Fish Flow

Evaluating the use of water for the environment to protect native fish in northern Basin rivers.
What lies beneath the water?

For a second year, citizen scientists have collected water samples for the Great Australian Wildlife Search. This project uses environmental DNA (eDNA) to investigate what aquatic animals are living in our waterbodies.
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Water management
Water management

We work with state governments to manage water and infrastructure in the Murray–Darling Basin. Water is managed to make sure it’s safe and delivered to the people who need it. We manage water to protect our rivers for generations.
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River Murray operations

We manage water operations on the River Murray on behalf of New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.

Basin Plan

The Basin Plan ensures sustainable sharing of water. It is reviewed and evaluated, and we regularly report on implementation progress.

Basin Plan Review

We’re preparing for the 2026 Basin Plan Review, to make sure the Basin Plan continues to respond to changing environment, community and industry needs, as we protect rivers for generations.

Water resource modelling

Models help us see how different conditions and decisions about water management might affect the river system.
Infrastructure

Dams, barrages and weirs regulate water flows and help deliver of water to communities, irrigators and the environment.

Northern Basin

The northern Basin has a unique climate and water management arrangements.

Managing water quality

Managing flows, wherever possible, can help to mitigate salinity, turbidity and dissolved oxygen.

Groundwater

Groundwater is stored in fractured rocks, porous rocks and soils called aquifers, it can be connected to surface water, which includes the water in our rivers and wetlands.
Hume Dam

Hume Reservoir plays a vital role in water management, energy production, and flood control – while also serving as a key site for tourism and recreation.
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Water use
Water use

Water is used for a variety of purposes within the Murray–Darling Basin. There are rules around how water is shared. Once allocated, water can be used, stored, traded or reallocated.
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Allocations

Each Basin state has different rules and requirements about how water is allocated.

Water for First Nations

Water is central to the cultural, social and spiritual identity of Australia's First Nations people.

Water for the environment

‘Water for the environment’ is used to improve the health of our rivers, wetlands and floodplains.

Water limits

The Basin Plan sets a limit on how much water can be sustainably diverted within the Basin.
Water losses

When water is managed and delivered, evaporation, seepage and other losses are taken into account.

Water demand and shortfalls

Available water is shared to meet the needs of all. Shortfalls occur when water cannot be delivered as needed.

Trends in use

Over two-thirds of Australia's irrigation occurs in the Murray–Darling Basin.

Water markets

Trade is vital for irrigators by allowing flexibility in response to water availability.
Water Take Report

The MDBA publishes an annual Water Take Report which analyses the data and longer-term trends of water use based on the sustainable diversion limits (SDL) Registers of Take.
Read the report
Publications and data
Publications and data

We publish research and technical reports, educational material and data sources about the Basin for communities, governments, industry and students.
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Publications

Research and technical reports containing information for communities, governments, industry and students.

Maps and spatial data

Access our maps and spatial data for the Basin. We use remote sensing and spatial data to support our programs and projects.
Data and dashboards

Access our reports and data for parts of the River Murray system, and water in storage updates for catchments in the Murray–Darling Basin.

School resources

We provide educational posters, maps, and more that you can download.
Constraints Relaxation Implementation Roadmap

The Roadmap has been developed to assist the Commonwealth and Basin states to identify, develop, and implement measures to relax constraints and provide a pathway for a common approach across river systems and jurisdictions.
Read the guide
About us
About us

We work with Basin states, industries and communities to manage the Murray–Darling Basin’s water resources in the national interest.
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Who we are

We are an independent expertise-based statutory agency, established under the Water Act 2007.

What we do

We are responsible for planning the Basin's water resources, with all planning decisions made in the interest of the Basin as a whole.

What we've heard

Read our latest briefings to the community and key stakeholder groups and what we've heard.

Who we work with

Our partners and stakeholders include people living in the Basin, First Nations, state and local governments and advisory committees.
People and jobs

We offer exciting work opportunities at the forefront of water resource management.

Governance and committees

A large number of governments, authorities and agencies are involved in managing water.

Accountability and reporting

We are committed to good and transparent governance. Here you will find information about our planning, reporting and other documentation about our business.

Contact us

Find out how to get in touch, and where our 7 office locations are around the Basin.
Science in the Basin

Science is at the core of what we do. We use the best available science and knowledge support policy and inform decisions.
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News and events
News and events

For all things MDBA news, information and communication, visit our Newsroom for latest news, media releases, communiques and more.
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Newsroom

Stay up to date with the latest news, media releases, communiques and Basin stories.

Subscribe

Sign up to receive emails with our monthly newsletters, regular flow advice alerts, River Murray weekly reports, media releases or communiques.

Conferences

Find out about our annual regional water conference.
Symposiums

Annual symposiums focussing on new science to shape water policy decisions and sharing research results.

Social media

Connect with us on our social media channels. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Webinars

Learn more about water management and river operations by joining our webinars.
2025 River Reflections

The conference will be held on 29 to 30 July in the bustling rural city of Murray Bridge, South Australia – the heart of the Murraylands.
Find out more

The Basin

The Basin

Climate and river health

Science and knowledge

Water management

Water management

Water use

Water use

Publications

Publications and data

About us

About us

News

News and events

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News and Events /
Newsroom

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News and Events /
Newsroom

Newsroom

12 May 2022

Basin stories

River operations

Why has all the water gone?

Every few years Lake Mulwala disappears. Find out why and when to catch this memorable sight.

Category

(-) Basin stories

Topics

(-) Infrastructure River operations

Geo-location

(-) Central Murray Lower Murray Murray Upper Murray

River Murray Data Contact Offices

Data and maps

River Murray Data
Water in storages
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Flow advice
Maps and spatial data

News and publications

Newsroom
Publications, data and resources

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Explore the Basin

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout the Murray–Darling Basin and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We offer our respects to the people, the Cultures and the Elders past and present.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout the Murray–Darling Basin and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We offer our respects to the people, the Cultures and the Elders past and present.

engagement@mdba.gov.au
1800 230 067 (free call) or 02 6279 0100
GPO Box 1801, Canberra City, ACT 2601