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Print date: 24 June 2025
https://www.mdba.gov.au
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The Basin
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Basin location
Why the Murray–Darling Basin matters
Our reliance on the Basin for water
The Darling (Baaka) River’s contribution to the Murray
Catchments
Northern Basin catchments
Barwon–Darling
Border Rivers
Condamine–Balonne
Gwydir
Macquarie–Castlereagh
Moonie
Namoi
Paroo
Warrego
Southern Basin catchments
Campaspe
Goulburn–Broken
Kiewa
Lachlan
Loddon–Avoca
Lower Darling
Mitta Mitta
Central Murray
Lower Murray
Upper Murray
Murrumbidgee
Ovens
Wimmera
Who does what in the catchments
Landscapes
How the Basin was formed
Bioregions
Rivers, wetlands and floodplains
Safe recreation
Significant environmental sites
Barmah–Millewa Forest icon site
Gunbower Forest icon site
Koondrook–Perricoota Forest icon site
Hattah Lakes icon site
Lindsay–Wallpolla–Mulcra Islands icon site
Chowilla Floodplain icon site
Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth icon site
River Murray icon site
Plants and wildlife
Animals
Birds
Priorities for birds
Fish
Priorities for fish
Our native fish recovery strategy
Fish migration
Plants
Native vegetation
Reptiles
Climate and river health
Science and knowledge
Basin Condition Monitoring Program
Cultural projects
Economic projects
Environmental projects
Hydrological projects
Social projects
Social and Economic Conditions report
Hydrometric Networks and Remote Sensing Program
Remote sensing and satellite imagery
Murray–Darling Water and Environment Research Program
Climate adaptation
Environmental outcomes
Hydrology
Social, economic and cultural outcomes
Peer-reviewed journal articles
Reports and documents
Monitoring Northern Fish Flow
Water management
Water management
River Murray operations
Managing water
Delivering water
Annual Operating Outlook
Barmah–Millewa Reach
Water Delivery Optimisation Program
Barmah–Millewa Reach sediment investigations
The Barmah–Millewa Feasibility Study
Basin Plan
Key elements of the Basin Plan
Prerequisite policy measures
Basin Plan history and timeline
Basin Plan Evaluations
2025 Basin Plan Evaluation
2020 Basin Plan Evaluation
2017 Basin Plan Evaluation
Monitoring
Relaxing constraints
Sustainable diversion limit adjustment mechanism
Roles and responsibilities
Sustainable diversion limit adjustment projects
Reconciliation
Water resource plans
Developing water resource plans
List of state water resource plans
Common challenges across water resource plans
Risks to shared water resources
Basin Plan Annual Reports
Basin Plan Report Cards
Basin Plan Review
Early Insights Paper
Basin Plan Review engagement
Feedback form
Reporting on Basin Plan Review progress
December 2024 progress update
June 2024 progress update
December 2023 progress update
Roadmap to Basin Plan Review
Water resource modelling
Types of water modelling
Infrastructure
Infrastructure management
Guide to planning new infrastructure
Fishways of the River Murray
How fish are counted in fishways
History of fishways in the River Murray
Hume Dam
Managing floods at Hume Dam
Dartmouth Dam
Managing floods at Dartmouth Dam
Menindee Lakes
Lake Victoria (Tar-Ru)
Weirs and locks
Yarrawonga Weir
Lower Lakes barrages
Lower Lakes Independent Science Review
Senator JS Collings Trophy
Northern Basin
Northern Basin toolkit
Projects in the Northern Basin Toolkit
Basin Plan amendments for the northern Basin
Basin Plan amendment process
Managing water quality
River Murray Water Quality Monitoring Program
Water quality threats
Acid sulfate soils
Blackwater
Blue-green algae
Bushfires
Drought
Erosion
Fish deaths
Flooding
Salinity
Report water quality issues or fish deaths
Groundwater
Groundwater management
Water use
Water use
Allocations
How allocations work
How River Murray water is shared
The Murray–Darling Basin Agreement
Return flows
Unregulated flows in the River Murray
Water critical for human needs
Water entitlements in Basin states
Special accounting – water sharing in dry times
Water for First Nations
First Nations cultural flows
First Nations environmental water guidance
Water for the environment
How water for the environment is delivered
Water for the environment in your region
Deciding where water goes
Progress and outcomes
Barmah–Millewa Forest Report Card
Chowilla Report Card
Gunbower Forest Report Card
Hattah Lakes Report Card
Koondrook–Perricoota Report Card
Lindsay, Mulcra and Wallpolla Islands Report Card
Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth Report Card
The Living Murray
Indigenous Partnership Program
River flows and connectivity
Water recovery
Factors for water recovery
Progress on water recovery
Water limits
Sustainable diversion limits
Sustainable diversion limit accounting and reporting framework
Current diversion limits for the Basin
Compliance with limits on water use
Limits on water use over time
Changing limits
Floodplain harvesting and overland flows
Water losses
Causes of water losses
Minimising water losses
Water demand and shortfalls
Risk of shortfalls on the River Murray
Managing shortfall risks
Trends in use
Irrigation trends
Water markets
Water trade
Water trading rules of the Basin Plan
Basin state water trading rules
Barmah Choke trade rule
Barmah Choke trade balance
Interstate water trade
Bulk water trade adjustments trials
Water trading rules within irrigation networks
Exchange rate declarations
Water markets product information
New South Wales water markets product information
Queensland water markets product information
South Australia water markets product information
Victoria water markets product information
Publications
Publications and data
Publications
Maps and spatial data
Maps
BasinView monitoring tool
Spatial data
Geospatial data services request
Privacy collection notice for geospatial satellite images
Data and dashboards
River Murray Data
Basin water in storage report
Basin water in storage reports – past
Flows in the River Murray system
River Murray weekly reports
Weekly report 2024
Weekly report 2023
Weekly report 2022
Weekly report 2021
Weekly report 2020
Weekly report 2019
State shares in storages
State shares in storages 2024
State shares in storages 2023
State shares in storages 2022
State shares in storages 2021
State shares in storages 2020
State shares in storages 2019
School resources
An amazing discovery
Digital stories
Posters and cards
Lesson packages
Influences on the water cycle
Water availability in Australia
Water use and distribution
Water quality
Water security
Caring for River Country
Wetlands and food webs
The water sharing game
About us
About us
Who we are
Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians
Our leadership team
Corporate structure
The Authority
Authority Communiques
Authority statements
Our purpose, values and strategic direction
What we do
Programs and projects
Science in the Basin
The Water Act
Get involved
What we've heard
First Nations peoples’ perspectives to inform the 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation
Regional Community Forum perspectives to support the 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation
2024 River Reflections Conference - Early Insights Paper Workshop
Peak group perspectives to support the 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation
Basin Leaders Summit
Peaks Roundtables
Who we work with
First Nations partnership programs
Partnerships and engagement
Working with First Nations
Government partnerships
Joint programs
Research partnerships
International engagement and sharing water management knowledge
Regional engagement
Authority Chair regional engagement 2024
Authority Chair regional engagement 2023
Authority Chair regional engagement 2022
Authority Chair regional engagement 2020–21
Regional community forums
Basin state governments
Inspector–General of Water Compliance
People and jobs
Careers
Why work with us
Life at MDBA
Employment register
Enterprise Agreement
Graduate Development Program
University Employment Programs
Census action plan
Governance and committees
Governance of water management
Committees and decision making
Ministerial Council
Basin Officials Committee
Basin Officials Committee decisions and activities
Basin Community Committee
Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences
ACSEES Communiques
Independent River Operations Review Group
Environmental watering committees
Northern Basin Environmental Watering Group
Southern Connected Basin Environmental Watering Committee
Evaluation Advisory Panel
Independent Hydroclimate Science Expert Panel
Accountability and reporting
AI transparency statement
Corporate publications
Freedom of information
Freedom of information disclosure log
Information Publication Scheme
Independent reviews
Legal services expenditure
Previous years legal expenditures
Public Interest Disclosures
Policies and governance
Fraud control policy
Managing conflicts of interest
Reporting and submissions
Executive remuneration
Accountable Authority Gifts and Benefits Declaration
Authority indexed file lists
Statutory appointments
Tenders and procurement
Website information
Water management glossary
Accessibility
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy Policy
Vulnerability disclosure policy
Staff and partners
Contact us
Use our contact form
News
News and events
Newsroom
Subscribe
Conferences
2025 River Reflections conference
Past conferences
2024 River Reflections conference
2023 River reflections conference
2022 River reflections conference
2021 River reflections conference
Symposiums
Past symposiums
MD-WERP Annual Symposium 2024
MD-WERP Annual Symposium 2023
MD-WERP Annual Symposium 2022
Social media
Social media moderation policy
Webinars
EIP webinar Q and A
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Macquarie Marshes poster
26 November 2015