Water management

Water in the Murray–Darling Basin has to be managed to make it safe. It has to be delivered to the people who need it and it needs to be protected so that it ensures into the future.

The Murray–Darling Basin is the food bowl of Australia and home to many of Australia’s rivers, lakes and wetlands. Parts of the Murray–Darling Basin are prone to long periods of drought and there isn’t always enough water to go around. Water sustains the Basin’s agricultural industry, which contributes over $22 billion to the economy each year. But water isn’t just used by farmers. People everywhere need water for drinking, washing and many other things. Plants and animals in the Basin’s unique natural environments also rely on water to survive.

Each river in the Basin is managed by us at the MDBA or a state body, depending on its location. We manage and operate the River Murray on behalf of the New South Wales, Victorian and South Australian governments because the river flows through all 3 states. Other rivers in the Murray–Darling Basin are managed by the states and catchment authorities. Each state and territory manages its dams and water distribution differently. 

Prior to European settlement, First Nations people maintained and cared for the land and water that sustained them. When European farming practices became common, people started using a lot more water. Infrastructure was built to get water to different places like farms and communities and dams were built to store it.

We consider changing conditions when deciding how to manage water. River operators make decisions such as how much water should be released, and when to release it so that it gets to the right places on time. These decisions help minimise water losses.

Water management tasks

Making sure water remains safe and available to all those who need it involves cooperation with our partners and many different tasks, including: