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1870 1956 1895 1944 History of Water Resources and Management in the Murray–Darling Basin 2006 1997 1880 1890 1864 1936 1902

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1870 1956 1895 1944 History of Water Resources and Management in the Murray–Darling Basin 2006 1997 1880 1890 1864 1936 1902 Major flood in northern Severe drought leads to Highest Basin inflows in Basin and Darling River. the end of commercial recorded history navigation on the Murray (111,000 GL) cause and Darling Rivers. widespread flooding. Modelling inflows within 1914 Severe drought. 1956 1890 the Murray–Darling Hume Dam drops to 1% of capacity. Basin commences. Severe drought 1892 throughout Widespread flooding across the Basin. Flood along the Murray. 1968 HISTORY OF WATER RESOURCES NSW, Vic and Known as the ‘big wet’. Start of the ‘Federation SA. Murray Drought throughout drought’, which lasted ceased to flow AND MANAGEMENT IN THE 1917 Drought forces Adelaide to take 90% of its water from the Murray. 1974 Australia lasts for two years. 1944 for seven years. in some areas. The Murray Mouth closes for first time in recorded history. MURRAY–DARLING4 BASIN5,000 Highest recorded flood Floods across QLD, Flood in Flood 1981 in Murray system. 1895 Major flood across NSW and Victoria. 1864 the the entire Basin. Large flood on Severe Murray Beginning of longest drought in 1952 1909 and Murrumbidgee drought in 1993 Australia’s recorded history. Wimmera 1921 Flood along River inundates 1870 southern 40,000 the Murray. the town of and eastern Rivers. Murray Mouth closes and 1852 Gundagai, NSW. states 1931 requires dredging. 1997 1880 50000 lasting six Drought in NSW. years. 2000 Lowest Basin water inflows 35,000 Drought in NSW. Average, post 2000-01 on record (9,300 GL). MurrumbidgeeLon g term average, 1824 River waterholes 10,900 GL 3,980 GL Widespread flooding dry up, fish throughout the Basin. 1838 ) losses recorded. (37% of long term average) 2006 L 30,000 2010 G 40000 ( w o 25,000 l f < 45,000 BP1820’s 1820sn 1830s 1840s 1850s 1860s 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s I 1820 1830 1820 1830 1840 1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1920 1930 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 l a 20,000 First (and only) lock and Yarrawonga Weir completed. Mulwala Menindee Lakes water storage u 30000weir built on the Darling Soldier’s settlement Canal established as the largest scheme completed. 1968 ABORIGINAL CONSTRUCTIONn at Bourke, NSW. schemes established in irrigation channel in Australia. 1917 1897 n areas including Berri, Barrages completed in SA to prevent HERITAGE Burrendong Dam on the A Cadell, Cobdogla, Ral Ral seawater from entering the Lower 15,000 Construction work begins on Torrumbarry and Waikerie. Lakes. Macquarie River system to divert water from the Murray 1939 completed. The lands within the Murray–Darling 1967 into Victorian irrigation areas. Basin provided Aboriginal Nations with a 1883 rich and abundant source of food, water First pastoral leases established and shelter. Belief in spiritual beings on the Murray. Paddlesteamers Chaffey brothers establish Hume Dam completed after gave special meaning to the plants, 10,000 begin to navigate the Murray and 20000irrigation settlements at 17 years of construction. animals, land and water in the Basin. Darling Rivers. Renmark (SA) and Mildura (Vic). 1936 Dartmouth Dam on the Mitta First pumping schemes 1887 Mitta River completed. Many Aboriginal creation stories established on the Murray. Soldier’s settlement 1979 describe the rainbow serpent as the 1850s Goulburn Weir built, first Lock 1 completed on schemes recommence creator of the rivers, streams and water 5,000 major water diversion Murray River. (13 more in areas including Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric holes. Known by many names, the structure for irrigation. built by 1939.) Robinvale and Loxton. Scheme completed. 1946 1922 1891 serpent moved across the land, carving 1974 the landscape with its long and powerful body. The rainbow serpent now moves 10000 River Murray Commission into the river from its resting places in WATER 0 South Australia nearby water holes and billabongs to established to enforce 1915 introduces cap on cleanse the rivers and its people. MANAGEMENT agreement and ensure water diversions. Basin Plan becomes law. 2012 Conflict between water shares are delivered. 1968 colonies on the threat 1917 Aboriginal connection to ancestral lands to river navigation in Northern MD-Basin Aboriginal continues today and is conveyed through South AustraliaY ear Ending JunNSW,e Victoria and SA sign River Nations (NBAN) group formed. stories, totems and law. South Australia 2010 caused by upstream Murray Waters Agreement following Intercolonial conference freezes irrigation water diversion. three years of negotiation. MDBA formed. M-DB Agreement Archaeological evidence of Aboriginal on navigation and 1887 1915 entitlements. 1967 becomes part of the Water Act 2007. occupation in the Basin dates to more management of River 0 2008 than 45,000 years BP (before present). Murray agree to make Corowa conference for Major conference at Corowa to resolve competition major rivers navigable. Australian Federation. between states for River Murray water. Water Act 2007 introduced. 2007 1863 1883 1902 National Water Initiative signed by all governments. The Living Murray First Step signed by Basin state governments. 2004 Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) group is formed. 1998 Interim Cap on water diversion introduced to prevent increase of water diversions. 1995 New Murray–Darling Basin Agreement replaces River Murray Water Agreement. 1992 Murray–Darling Basin Agreement first signed, intially as an amendment to the River Murray Waters Agreement of 1915. 1987.
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