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The Barmah–Millewa Reach, or the narrowest parts of it, are referred to as the ‘The Narrows’. It was previously referred to as Barmah Choke.

There is reduced flow of water through the Barmah–Millewa Reach caused from the build-up of sand on the riverbed.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) operates the River Murray to share water between New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, as required under the Murray–Darling Basin Agreement. To undertake this work the MDBA has built, maintained and operated a hydrological model of the River Murray.

Explore the one million square kilometres of the Murray–Darling Basin with the ability to zoom down to a 10 metre size with our BasinView imagery tool.

Hydrological and hydrodynamic modelling supports informed decision making at the MDBA.

We use maps and spatial data, including remote sensing data daily, to support our various programs and projects. This includes data on hydrology, biota, terrain, vegetation, geology, and important built and natural assets.

River system models, developed by Basin states, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and Snowy Hydro Limited, have been used to inform development and implementation of key water management policies across the Murray–Darling Basin for over 40 years.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority undertook a three year study (2009–2012) on the Barmah Choke to investigate the potential water supply and environmental risks.

In 2019, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority undertook a detailed survey of the River Murray through the Barmah–Millewa Reach to investigate the reduction in regulated flow capacity through the Reach. This revealed the presence of a large quantity of sand on the bed of the river, referred to as a ‘sand slug’, which was not expected. In response to this, the MDBA has undertaken a series of investigations to understand the extent and source of the sand, the rate it is moving at and options to manage it.

When the Basin Plan was legislated in 2012, it was recognised that the information base in the northern Basin was less developed than that in the south. With the support of Basin governments, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority undertook a planned review of the sustainable diversion limits in the north.