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Hydrological conditions often differ each year and across regions of the Basin. Planning for dry conditions is a major challenge for river operators, water resource managers and the community.

When parts of the Murray–Darling Basin are in drought it affects the whole river system, including plants and animals, the communities of the Basin, and farming and food production.

Native fish are reappearing in areas of the Murray–Darling Basin where they were believed to be locally extinct or critically endangered.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority met on 28 and 29 July 2021. All members were present, and the meeting was chaired by Sir Angus Houston.

Find out how water for the environment is planned and prioritised, how environmental outcomes are identified, and how we plan for future use of water for the environment.

In 2018, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority commissioned an independent review by eminent hydrology experts of the risks posed by reduced return flows. This was in response to concerns raised that increases in groundwater sustainable diversion limits and irrigation efficiency projects may lead to reductions in river flow and offset the benefits of surface water recovery for the environment.

The prolonged drought across the Basin means in the next 12 months environmental water will be used strategically to protect our wetlands, floodplains and river ecosystems from further damage, and place them in the best possible position to recover from the drought when it breaks, according to the latest Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) report.

Over recent years there have been significant changes in water use on the River Murray between Barmah and the South Australian border. This study investigates the changes historical data shows over time.