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.
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.
We’re continually improving our understanding of the complex connections between climate, river flows, and river-related outcomes for communities, industries, and the environment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We are committed to good and transparent governance. Here you will find information about our planning, reporting and other documentation about our business.
The 2024 JS Collings Trophy for excellence in maintaining major water management infrastructure on the River Murray has been awarded to Lake Victoria (Tar-Ru).
Water infrastructure is a term which can apply to a range of assets: dams, weirs, flood levees and embankments, fishways, regulators, pump stations, managed aquifer recharge ponds and...
The 2023 JS Collings Trophy for excellence in maintaining major water management infrastructure on the River Murray has been awarded to Mildura Weir by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority...
We are currently undertaking airspace operations at Dartmouth Dam. Releases will reduce from near 8,900 ML/day to target 7,000 ML/day (measured at Colemans gauge).
Landholders and river users, including pumpers, on the Mitta Mitta River are advised to take into account the forecast releases of water from Dartmouth Dam and make any necessary adjustment to...