The Murray–Darling Basin Basin animals and habitat The Basin supports a diverse range of plants and The Murray–Darling Basin is Australia’s largest animals. Over 350 species of birds (35 endangered), and most diverse river system — a place of great 100 species of lizards, 53 frogs and 46 snakes national significance with many important social, have been recorded — many of them found only in economic and environmental values. Australia.
The Basin dominates the landscape of eastern At least 34 bird species depend upon wetlands in 1. 2. 6. Australia, covering over one million square the Basin for breeding. The Macquarie Marshes and kilometres — about 14% of the country — Hume Dam at 7% capacity in 2007 (left) and 100% capactiy in 2011 (right) Narran Lakes are vital habitats for colonial nesting including parts of New South Wales, Victoria, waterbirds (including straw-necked ibis, herons, Queensland and South Australia, and all of the cormorants and spoonbills). Sites such as these Australian Capital Territory. Australia’s three A highly variable river system regularly support more than 20,000 waterbirds and, longest rivers — the Darling, the Murray and the when in flood, over 500,000 birds have been seen. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, Murrumbidgee — run through the Basin. Fifteen species of frogs also occur in the Macquarie and despite having one of the world’s largest Marshes, including the striped and ornate burrowing The Basin is best known as ‘Australia’s food catchments, river flows in the Murray–Darling Basin frogs, the waterholding frog and crucifix toad. bowl’, producing around one-third of the are among the lowest in the world. 7. national food supply. Agriculture (and associated More than 60 species of fish live in the Basin’s Most of the Basin is arid or semi-arid, and rainfall industries) has helped create and continues to waterways, including the iconic Murray cod. This varies greatly from year to year. In fact, the Basin has support important regional communities. The includes 11 non-native and seven marine or estuarine the most varied river flows of any similarly-sized river Basin has an important place in the cultural species. Native fish numbers and distribution have system in the world, with long droughts often broken heritage of all Australians. Many of its iconic reduced significantly since European settlement, and by large rainfall events and floods. heritage features underpin our collective identity about 50% of the species are considered threatened and are celebrated in the work of our authors, Water inflows also vary greatly between the north or of conservation significance. painters, film-makers and other artists. and south. The sheer size of the Basin, coupled with Habitat for Basin animals includes over 25,000 8. a high evaporation rate, means that heavy rainfall wetlands — 16 of these have been recognised in upland areas doesn’t always reach downstream internationally for their importance to migratory areas. (94% of rainfall in the Basin is lost to Top to bottom: Canoeing on Keepit Dam, inspecting a demonstration birds. The Basin also contains the world’s largest canola field, and locals enjoying a swim in the River Murray. evaporation.) stand of river red gum, the Barmah–Millewa Forest. It is predicted that climate change will see extremes Many of the native plants and animals in the Basin are Basin people Basin landscapes and climates in weather becoming more common, and modelling protected in national parks and other reserves, which The Basin is home to more than two million people The Murray–Darling Basin is made up of the suggests that the Basin will become hotter and drier, make up around 7% of the Basin’s total area. across four states and one territory. catchments of the Murray and Darling Rivers, and all particularly in the south. of the rivers and creek that flow into them. Many Aboriginal nations are located within the Basin (making up around 15% of the national Indigenous The Basin’s climatic zones range from subtropical Resources population) and their cultural heritage dates back in the far north to cool and humid eastern uplands, The Murray–Darling Basin’s natural resources over 45,000 years. Guided by traditional law and the high alpine country of the Snowy support two million people living within its 2 custom, Aboriginal people protect and conserve Mountains, the temperate southeast and boundaries, and millions of other Australians. ecosystems in their natural state to ensure balance; the hot, dry semi-arid and arid western plains. Industries that rely on these resources include gold, and healthy ecosystems also support their cultural copper, coal and natural gas mining operations; The underlying landscapes of these climatic zones and commercial practices. There are over 10,000 forestry and fisheries; tourism; and all the businesses evolved over hundreds of millions of years. Between known Aboriginal sites in the Basin. that service those sectors. 45 million and 160 million years ago, as Australia European settlement started throughout the Basin separated from the ancient supercontinent of As one of the driest catchments in the world, water is from the early 19th century, and regional centres Gondwana, land near the eastern edge of Australia an extremely valuable resource in the Murray–Darling began developing in support of agriculture and other was pushed upwards to form what is now the Great Basin. More than three million people (living within industries. Many of these have grown into significant Dividing Range. This range forms the eastern and outside the Basin) depend on its water. Water towns or cities such as Toowoomba, Wagga Wagga, boundary of the Basin. About 65 million years ago, is also vital for not only the Basin’s most significant Albury–Wodonga and Bendigo. the southern part of the Basin began to sink slightly, industry — agriculture — but also forestry, fishing, 3. 4. 5. causing the rivers to flow generally westward to the tourism and recreation. The health of many unique Basin communities support a rich and diverse range mouth at Goolwa and eventually forming the Basin’s ecosystems and a large number of plants and animals Left to right: Sacred kingfisher, a river red gum in Doctors Swamp during of cultures, and provide valuable contributions to current southern and western boundaries. is also dependent upon the water. a flood, and the iconic Murray cod. Australia’s economic prosperity and social fabric.
The Murray–Darling Basin | 2 The Murray–Darling Basin | 3
4 | The Murray–Darling Basin Murray–Darling The | 4
the health of the environment. the of health the
set for recovering water that can be used to improve improve to used be can that water recovering for set MDBA Publication 07/14 Publication MDBA
the Basin’s rivers for human use, and a target was was target a and use, human for rivers Basin’s the
Brayden Dykes: 1, 2; Gunther Schmida: 5. 5. Schmida: Gunther 2; 1, Dykes: Brayden set on the amount of water that can be taken from from taken be can that water of amount the on set
David Kleinert: 3; Peter Solness: 11; Keith Ward: 4; 4; Ward: Keith 11; Solness: Peter 3; Kleinert: David November 2012. Under the Basin Plan, a limit was was limit a Plan, Basin the Under 2012. November
7; 6, Baker: John 8,9; Mostead: Arthur solution was the Basin Plan, which became law in in law became which Plan, Basin the was solution
Michael Bell: Cover (aerial view of Renmark), 10; Renmark), of view (aerial Cover Bell: Michael that would result in a healthy, working Basin. The The Basin. working healthy, a in result would that
credits: Image Authority (MDBA) in charge of creating a solution solution a creating of charge in (MDBA) Authority
The Water Act put the Murray–Darling Basin Basin Murray–Darling the put Act Water The
Web: www.mdba.gov.au Web:
[email protected] Email: Parliament.
8053 6248 (02) Fax: This resulted in the Water Act, which was endorsed by by endorsed was which Act, Water the in resulted This
0100 6279 (02) Phone: balanced the needs of people and the environment. environment. the and people of needs the balanced
Australia’s largest and most diverse river system river diverse most and largest Australia’s 2601 ACT Canberra 1801, Box GPO it was agreed that the Basin needed a solution that that solution a needed Basin the that agreed was it
Authority Basin Murray–Darling Spurred by the impacts of recurring drought, by 2007 2007 by drought, recurring of impacts the by Spurred
The Murray–Darling Basin Murray–Darling The
distribution of water between states, for human use. use. human for states, between water of distribution
www.mdba.gov.au. our website: website: our governments. Their primary focus was the fair fair the was focus primary Their governments.
to get the latest updates on the Basin Plan, visit visit Plan, Basin the on updates latest the get to was the responsibility of individual state/territory state/territory individual of responsibility the was
To learn more about the Murray–Darling Basin, or or Basin, Murray–Darling the about more learn To Until recently, Australian water management management water Australian recently, Until
Tell me more me Tell The Water Act and Basin Plan Basin and Act Water The
and the environment. the and ensure the health of the Basin for future generations. future for Basin the of health the ensure
it may be revised to improve outcomes for people people for outcomes improve to revised be may it to be available to support valuable ecosystems and and ecosystems valuable support to available be to
As the Plan takes effect and knowledge increases, increases, knowledge and effect takes Plan the As the Basin’s rivers were managed. More water had had water More managed. were rivers Basin’s the
These issues highlighted a need to change the way way the change to need a highlighted issues These
economic knowledge. knowledge. economic
the best-available scientific, social, cultural and and cultural social, scientific, best-available the green algae outbreaks started occurring more often. more occurring started outbreaks algae green
involved. This made sure the Plan was informed by by informed was Plan the sure made This involved. in the amount of salt in the Basin’s rivers and blue- and rivers Basin’s the in salt of amount the in
Basin, talking and listening to the communities communities the to listening and talking Basin, and natural floods also contributed to an increase increase an to contributed also floods natural and
environmental organisations. We also toured the the toured also We organisations. environmental depend on water to survive. Reductions in river flows flows river in Reductions survive. to water on depend
representatives of industry, Indigenous and and Indigenous industry, of representatives the health of rivers and the plants and animals that that animals and plants the and rivers of health the
with the Basin state governments, scientists, scientists, governments, state Basin the with for the environment. This resulted in a decline in in decline a in resulted This environment. the for
To create the Plan, MDBA worked closely closely worked MDBA Plan, the create To water management decisions, left less and less water water less and less left decisions, management water
rapidly. This increase, combined with droughts and and droughts with combined increase, This rapidly.
from the Basin’s rivers for agriculture increased increased agriculture for rivers Basin’s the from
River Murray at Mildura. at Murray River
From the 1950s, the amount of water being taken taken being water of amount the 1950s, the From Yarrawonga Weir forming Lake Mulwala and irrigation channels, weir on the the on weir channels, irrigation and Mulwala Lake forming Weir Yarrawonga
Clockwise from left: Outflow from Buronga salt interception scheme, scheme, interception salt Buronga from Outflow left: from Clockwise
help reduce the impact of floods. of impact the reduce help
11. 11. 9. 9.
Australia’s development; and they are also used to to used also are they and development; Australia’s
water supply). These structures were vital for inland inland for vital were structures These supply). water
and diverted for human use (providing a more reliable reliable more a (providing use human for diverted and
were built which allowed water to be captured, stored stored captured, be to water allowed which built were
population and industries expanded, dams and weirs weirs and dams expanded, industries and population
around agriculture and related industries. As the the As industries. related and agriculture around
than a century and many regional communities grew grew communities regional many and century a than
10. 10.
Farming has been practiced in the Basin for more more for Basin the in practiced been has Farming Development and water management water and Development The Murray–Darling Basin Basin animals and habitat The Basin supports a diverse range of plants and The Murray–Darling Basin is Australia’s largest animals. Over 350 species of birds (35 endangered), and most diverse river system — a place of great 100 species of lizards, 53 frogs and 46 snakes national significance with many important social, have been recorded — many of them found only in economic and environmental values. Australia.
The Basin dominates the landscape of eastern At least 34 bird species depend upon wetlands in 1. 2. 6. Australia, covering over one million square the Basin for breeding. The Macquarie Marshes and kilometres — about 14% of the country — Hume Dam at 7% capacity in 2007 (left) and 100% capactiy in 2011 (right) Narran Lakes are vital habitats for colonial nesting including parts of New South Wales, Victoria, waterbirds (including straw-necked ibis, herons, Queensland and South Australia, and all of the cormorants and spoonbills). Sites such as these Australian Capital Territory. Australia’s three A highly variable river system regularly support more than 20,000 waterbirds and, longest rivers — the Darling, the Murray and the when in flood, over 500,000 birds have been seen. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, Murrumbidgee — run through the Basin. Fifteen species of frogs also occur in the Macquarie and despite having one of the world’s largest Marshes, including the striped and ornate burrowing The Basin is best known as ‘Australia’s food catchments, river flows in the Murray–Darling Basin frogs, the waterholding frog and crucifix toad. bowl’, producing around one-third of the are among the lowest in the world. 7. national food supply. Agriculture (and associated More than 60 species of fish live in the Basin’s Most of the Basin is arid or semi-arid, and rainfall industries) has helped create and continues to waterways, including the iconic Murray cod. This varies greatly from year to year. In fact, the Basin has support important regional communities. The includes 11 non-native and seven marine or estuarine the most varied river flows of any similarly-sized river Basin has an important place in the cultural species. Native fish numbers and distribution have system in the world, with long droughts often broken heritage of all Australians. Many of its iconic reduced significantly since European settlement, and by large rainfall events and floods. heritage features underpin our collective identity about 50% of the species are considered threatened and are celebrated in the work of our authors, Water inflows also vary greatly between the north or of conservation significance. painters, film-makers and other artists. and south. The sheer size of the Basin, coupled with Habitat for Basin animals includes over 25,000 8. a high evaporation rate, means that heavy rainfall wetlands — 16 of these have been recognised in upland areas doesn’t always reach downstream internationally for their importance to migratory areas. (94% of rainfall in the Basin is lost to Top to bottom: Canoeing on Keepit Dam, inspecting a demonstration birds. The Basin also contains the world’s largest canola field, and locals enjoying a swim in the River Murray. evaporation.) stand of river red gum, the Barmah–Millewa Forest. It is predicted that climate change will see extremes Many of the native plants and animals in the Basin are Basin people Basin landscapes and climates in weather becoming more common, and modelling protected in national parks and other reserves, which The Basin is home to more than two million people The Murray–Darling Basin is made up of the suggests that the Basin will become hotter and drier, make up around 7% of the Basin’s total area. across four states and one territory. catchments of the Murray and Darling Rivers, and all particularly in the south. of the rivers and creek that flow into them. Many Aboriginal nations are located within the Basin (making up around 15% of the national Indigenous The Basin’s climatic zones range from subtropical Resources population) and their cultural heritage dates back in the far north to cool and humid eastern uplands, The Murray–Darling Basin’s natural resources over 45,000 years. Guided by traditional law and the high alpine country of the Snowy support two million people living within its 2 custom, Aboriginal people protect and conserve Mountains, the temperate southeast and boundaries, and millions of other Australians. ecosystems in their natural state to ensure balance; the hot, dry semi-arid and arid western plains. Industries that rely on these resources include gold, and healthy ecosystems also support their cultural copper, coal and natural gas mining operations; The underlying landscapes of these climatic zones and commercial practices. There are over 10,000 forestry and fisheries; tourism; and all the businesses evolved over hundreds of millions of years. Between known Aboriginal sites in the Basin. that service those sectors. 45 million and 160 million years ago, as Australia European settlement started throughout the Basin separated from the ancient supercontinent of As one of the driest catchments in the world, water is from the early 19th century, and regional centres Gondwana, land near the eastern edge of Australia an extremely valuable resource in the Murray–Darling began developing in support of agriculture and other was pushed upwards to form what is now the Great Basin. More than three million people (living within industries. Many of these have grown into significant Dividing Range. This range forms the eastern and outside the Basin) depend on its water. Water towns or cities such as Toowoomba, Wagga Wagga, boundary of the Basin. About 65 million years ago, is also vital for not only the Basin’s most significant Albury–Wodonga and Bendigo. the southern part of the Basin began to sink slightly, industry — agriculture — but also forestry, fishing, 3. 4. 5. causing the rivers to flow generally westward to the tourism and recreation. The health of many unique Basin communities support a rich and diverse range mouth at Goolwa and eventually forming the Basin’s ecosystems and a large number of plants and animals Left to right: Sacred kingfisher, a river red gum in Doctors Swamp during of cultures, and provide valuable contributions to current southern and western boundaries. is also dependent upon the water. a flood, and the iconic Murray cod. Australia’s economic prosperity and social fabric.
The Murray–Darling Basin | 2 The Murray–Darling Basin | 3
4 | The Murray–Darling Basin Murray–Darling The | 4
the health of the environment. the of health the
set for recovering water that can be used to improve improve to used be can that water recovering for set MDBA Publication 07/14 Publication MDBA
the Basin’s rivers for human use, and a target was was target a and use, human for rivers Basin’s the
Brayden Dykes: 1, 2; Gunther Schmida: 5. 5. Schmida: Gunther 2; 1, Dykes: Brayden set on the amount of water that can be taken from from taken be can that water of amount the on set
David Kleinert: 3; Peter Solness: 11; Keith Ward: 4; 4; Ward: Keith 11; Solness: Peter 3; Kleinert: David November 2012. Under the Basin Plan, a limit was was limit a Plan, Basin the Under 2012. November
7; 6, Baker: John 8,9; Mostead: Arthur solution was the Basin Plan, which became law in in law became which Plan, Basin the was solution
Michael Bell: Cover (aerial view of Renmark), 10; Renmark), of view (aerial Cover Bell: Michael that would result in a healthy, working Basin. The The Basin. working healthy, a in result would that
credits: Image Authority (MDBA) in charge of creating a solution solution a creating of charge in (MDBA) Authority
The Water Act put the Murray–Darling Basin Basin Murray–Darling the put Act Water The
Web: www.mdba.gov.au Web:
[email protected] Email: Parliament.
8053 6248 (02) Fax: This resulted in the Water Act, which was endorsed by by endorsed was which Act, Water the in resulted This
0100 6279 (02) Phone: balanced the needs of people and the environment. environment. the and people of needs the balanced
Australia’s largest and most diverse river system river diverse most and largest Australia’s 2601 ACT Canberra 1801, Box GPO it was agreed that the Basin needed a solution that that solution a needed Basin the that agreed was it
Authority Basin Murray–Darling Spurred by the impacts of recurring drought, by 2007 2007 by drought, recurring of impacts the by Spurred
The Murray–Darling Basin Murray–Darling The
distribution of water between states, for human use. use. human for states, between water of distribution
www.mdba.gov.au. our website: website: our governments. Their primary focus was the fair fair the was focus primary Their governments.
to get the latest updates on the Basin Plan, visit visit Plan, Basin the on updates latest the get to was the responsibility of individual state/territory state/territory individual of responsibility the was
To learn more about the Murray–Darling Basin, or or Basin, Murray–Darling the about more learn To Until recently, Australian water management management water Australian recently, Until
Tell me more me Tell The Water Act and Basin Plan Basin and Act Water The
and the environment. the and ensure the health of the Basin for future generations. future for Basin the of health the ensure
it may be revised to improve outcomes for people people for outcomes improve to revised be may it to be available to support valuable ecosystems and and ecosystems valuable support to available be to
As the Plan takes effect and knowledge increases, increases, knowledge and effect takes Plan the As the Basin’s rivers were managed. More water had had water More managed. were rivers Basin’s the
These issues highlighted a need to change the way way the change to need a highlighted issues These
economic knowledge. knowledge. economic
the best-available scientific, social, cultural and and cultural social, scientific, best-available the green algae outbreaks started occurring more often. more occurring started outbreaks algae green
involved. This made sure the Plan was informed by by informed was Plan the sure made This involved. in the amount of salt in the Basin’s rivers and blue- and rivers Basin’s the in salt of amount the in
Basin, talking and listening to the communities communities the to listening and talking Basin, and natural floods also contributed to an increase increase an to contributed also floods natural and
environmental organisations. We also toured the the toured also We organisations. environmental depend on water to survive. Reductions in river flows flows river in Reductions survive. to water on depend
representatives of industry, Indigenous and and Indigenous industry, of representatives the health of rivers and the plants and animals that that animals and plants the and rivers of health the
with the Basin state governments, scientists, scientists, governments, state Basin the with for the environment. This resulted in a decline in in decline a in resulted This environment. the for
To create the Plan, MDBA worked closely closely worked MDBA Plan, the create To water management decisions, left less and less water water less and less left decisions, management water
rapidly. This increase, combined with droughts and and droughts with combined increase, This rapidly.
from the Basin’s rivers for agriculture increased increased agriculture for rivers Basin’s the from
River Murray at Mildura. at Murray River
From the 1950s, the amount of water being taken taken being water of amount the 1950s, the From Yarrawonga Weir forming Lake Mulwala and irrigation channels, weir on the the on weir channels, irrigation and Mulwala Lake forming Weir Yarrawonga
Clockwise from left: Outflow from Buronga salt interception scheme, scheme, interception salt Buronga from Outflow left: from Clockwise
help reduce the impact of floods. of impact the reduce help
11. 11. 9. 9.
Australia’s development; and they are also used to to used also are they and development; Australia’s
water supply). These structures were vital for inland inland for vital were structures These supply). water
and diverted for human use (providing a more reliable reliable more a (providing use human for diverted and
were built which allowed water to be captured, stored stored captured, be to water allowed which built were
population and industries expanded, dams and weirs weirs and dams expanded, industries and population
around agriculture and related industries. As the the As industries. related and agriculture around
than a century and many regional communities grew grew communities regional many and century a than
10. 10.
Farming has been practiced in the Basin for more more for Basin the in practiced been has Farming Development and water management water and Development The Murray–Darling Basin Basin animals and habitat The Basin supports a diverse range of plants and The Murray–Darling Basin is Australia’s largest animals. Over 350 species of birds (35 endangered), and most diverse river system — a place of great 100 species of lizards, 53 frogs and 46 snakes national significance with many important social, have been recorded — many of them found only in economic and environmental values. Australia.
The Basin dominates the landscape of eastern At least 34 bird species depend upon wetlands in 1. 2. 6. Australia, covering over one million square the Basin for breeding. The Macquarie Marshes and kilometres — about 14% of the country — Hume Dam at 7% capacity in 2007 (left) and 100% capactiy in 2011 (right) Narran Lakes are vital habitats for colonial nesting including parts of New South Wales, Victoria, waterbirds (including straw-necked ibis, herons, Queensland and South Australia, and all of the cormorants and spoonbills). Sites such as these Australian Capital Territory. Australia’s three A highly variable river system regularly support more than 20,000 waterbirds and, longest rivers — the Darling, the Murray and the when in flood, over 500,000 birds have been seen. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, Murrumbidgee — run through the Basin. Fifteen species of frogs also occur in the Macquarie and despite having one of the world’s largest Marshes, including the striped and ornate burrowing The Basin is best known as ‘Australia’s food catchments, river flows in the Murray–Darling Basin frogs, the waterholding frog and crucifix toad. bowl’, producing around one-third of the are among the lowest in the world. 7. national food supply. Agriculture (and associated More than 60 species of fish live in the Basin’s Most of the Basin is arid or semi-arid, and rainfall industries) has helped create and continues to waterways, including the iconic Murray cod. This varies greatly from year to year. In fact, the Basin has support important regional communities. The includes 11 non-native and seven marine or estuarine the most varied river flows of any similarly-sized river Basin has an important place in the cultural species. Native fish numbers and distribution have system in the world, with long droughts often broken heritage of all Australians. Many of its iconic reduced significantly since European settlement, and by large rainfall events and floods. heritage features underpin our collective identity about 50% of the species are considered threatened and are celebrated in the work of our authors, Water inflows also vary greatly between the north or of conservation significance. painters, film-makers and other artists. and south. The sheer size of the Basin, coupled with Habitat for Basin animals includes over 25,000 8. a high evaporation rate, means that heavy rainfall wetlands — 16 of these have been recognised in upland areas doesn’t always reach downstream internationally for their importance to migratory areas. (94% of rainfall in the Basin is lost to Top to bottom: Canoeing on Keepit Dam, inspecting a demonstration birds. The Basin also contains the world’s largest canola field, and locals enjoying a swim in the River Murray. evaporation.) stand of river red gum, the Barmah–Millewa Forest. It is predicted that climate change will see extremes Many of the native plants and animals in the Basin are Basin people Basin landscapes and climates in weather becoming more common, and modelling protected in national parks and other reserves, which The Basin is home to more than two million people The Murray–Darling Basin is made up of the suggests that the Basin will become hotter and drier, make up around 7% of the Basin’s total area. across four states and one territory. catchments of the Murray and Darling Rivers, and all particularly in the south. of the rivers and creek that flow into them. Many Aboriginal nations are located within the Basin (making up around 15% of the national Indigenous The Basin’s climatic zones range from subtropical Resources population) and their cultural heritage dates back in the far north to cool and humid eastern uplands, The Murray–Darling Basin’s natural resources over 45,000 years. Guided by traditional law and the high alpine country of the Snowy support two million people living within its 2 custom, Aboriginal people protect and conserve Mountains, the temperate southeast and boundaries, and millions of other Australians. ecosystems in their natural state to ensure balance; the hot, dry semi-arid and arid western plains. Industries that rely on these resources include gold, and healthy ecosystems also support their cultural copper, coal and natural gas mining operations; The underlying landscapes of these climatic zones and commercial practices. There are over 10,000 forestry and fisheries; tourism; and all the businesses evolved over hundreds of millions of years. Between known Aboriginal sites in the Basin. that service those sectors. 45 million and 160 million years ago, as Australia European settlement started throughout the Basin separated from the ancient supercontinent of As one of the driest catchments in the world, water is from the early 19th century, and regional centres Gondwana, land near the eastern edge of Australia an extremely valuable resource in the Murray–Darling began developing in support of agriculture and other was pushed upwards to form what is now the Great Basin. More than three million people (living within industries. Many of these have grown into significant Dividing Range. This range forms the eastern and outside the Basin) depend on its water. Water towns or cities such as Toowoomba, Wagga Wagga, boundary of the Basin. About 65 million years ago, is also vital for not only the Basin’s most significant Albury–Wodonga and Bendigo. the southern part of the Basin began to sink slightly, industry — agriculture — but also forestry, fishing, 3. 4. 5. causing the rivers to flow generally westward to the tourism and recreation. The health of many unique Basin communities support a rich and diverse range mouth at Goolwa and eventually forming the Basin’s ecosystems and a large number of plants and animals Left to right: Sacred kingfisher, a river red gum in Doctors Swamp during of cultures, and provide valuable contributions to current southern and western boundaries. is also dependent upon the water. a flood, and the iconic Murray cod. Australia’s economic prosperity and social fabric.
The Murray–Darling Basin | 2 The Murray–Darling Basin | 3
4 | The Murray–Darling Basin Murray–Darling The | 4
the health of the environment. the of health the
set for recovering water that can be used to improve improve to used be can that water recovering for set MDBA Publication 07/14 Publication MDBA
the Basin’s rivers for human use, and a target was was target a and use, human for rivers Basin’s the
Brayden Dykes: 1, 2; Gunther Schmida: 5. 5. Schmida: Gunther 2; 1, Dykes: Brayden set on the amount of water that can be taken from from taken be can that water of amount the on set
David Kleinert: 3; Peter Solness: 11; Keith Ward: 4; 4; Ward: Keith 11; Solness: Peter 3; Kleinert: David November 2012. Under the Basin Plan, a limit was was limit a Plan, Basin the Under 2012. November
7; 6, Baker: John 8,9; Mostead: Arthur solution was the Basin Plan, which became law in in law became which Plan, Basin the was solution
Michael Bell: Cover (aerial view of Renmark), 10; Renmark), of view (aerial Cover Bell: Michael that would result in a healthy, working Basin. The The Basin. working healthy, a in result would that
credits: Image Authority (MDBA) in charge of creating a solution solution a creating of charge in (MDBA) Authority
The Water Act put the Murray–Darling Basin Basin Murray–Darling the put Act Water The
Web: www.mdba.gov.au Web:
[email protected] Email: Parliament.
8053 6248 (02) Fax: This resulted in the Water Act, which was endorsed by by endorsed was which Act, Water the in resulted This
0100 6279 (02) Phone: balanced the needs of people and the environment. environment. the and people of needs the balanced
Australia’s largest and most diverse river system river diverse most and largest Australia’s 2601 ACT Canberra 1801, Box GPO it was agreed that the Basin needed a solution that that solution a needed Basin the that agreed was it
Authority Basin Murray–Darling Spurred by the impacts of recurring drought, by 2007 2007 by drought, recurring of impacts the by Spurred
The Murray–Darling Basin Murray–Darling The
distribution of water between states, for human use. use. human for states, between water of distribution
www.mdba.gov.au. our website: website: our governments. Their primary focus was the fair fair the was focus primary Their governments.
to get the latest updates on the Basin Plan, visit visit Plan, Basin the on updates latest the get to was the responsibility of individual state/territory state/territory individual of responsibility the was
To learn more about the Murray–Darling Basin, or or Basin, Murray–Darling the about more learn To Until recently, Australian water management management water Australian recently, Until
Tell me more me Tell The Water Act and Basin Plan Basin and Act Water The
and the environment. the and ensure the health of the Basin for future generations. future for Basin the of health the ensure
it may be revised to improve outcomes for people people for outcomes improve to revised be may it to be available to support valuable ecosystems and and ecosystems valuable support to available be to
As the Plan takes effect and knowledge increases, increases, knowledge and effect takes Plan the As the Basin’s rivers were managed. More water had had water More managed. were rivers Basin’s the
These issues highlighted a need to change the way way the change to need a highlighted issues These
economic knowledge. knowledge. economic
the best-available scientific, social, cultural and and cultural social, scientific, best-available the green algae outbreaks started occurring more often. more occurring started outbreaks algae green
involved. This made sure the Plan was informed by by informed was Plan the sure made This involved. in the amount of salt in the Basin’s rivers and blue- and rivers Basin’s the in salt of amount the in
Basin, talking and listening to the communities communities the to listening and talking Basin, and natural floods also contributed to an increase increase an to contributed also floods natural and
environmental organisations. We also toured the the toured also We organisations. environmental depend on water to survive. Reductions in river flows flows river in Reductions survive. to water on depend
representatives of industry, Indigenous and and Indigenous industry, of representatives the health of rivers and the plants and animals that that animals and plants the and rivers of health the
with the Basin state governments, scientists, scientists, governments, state Basin the with for the environment. This resulted in a decline in in decline a in resulted This environment. the for
To create the Plan, MDBA worked closely closely worked MDBA Plan, the create To water management decisions, left less and less water water less and less left decisions, management water
rapidly. This increase, combined with droughts and and droughts with combined increase, This rapidly.
from the Basin’s rivers for agriculture increased increased agriculture for rivers Basin’s the from
River Murray at Mildura. at Murray River
From the 1950s, the amount of water being taken taken being water of amount the 1950s, the From Yarrawonga Weir forming Lake Mulwala and irrigation channels, weir on the the on weir channels, irrigation and Mulwala Lake forming Weir Yarrawonga
Clockwise from left: Outflow from Buronga salt interception scheme, scheme, interception salt Buronga from Outflow left: from Clockwise
help reduce the impact of floods. of impact the reduce help
11. 11. 9. 9.
Australia’s development; and they are also used to to used also are they and development; Australia’s
water supply). These structures were vital for inland inland for vital were structures These supply). water
and diverted for human use (providing a more reliable reliable more a (providing use human for diverted and
were built which allowed water to be captured, stored stored captured, be to water allowed which built were
population and industries expanded, dams and weirs weirs and dams expanded, industries and population
around agriculture and related industries. As the the As industries. related and agriculture around
than a century and many regional communities grew grew communities regional many and century a than
10. 10.
Farming has been practiced in the Basin for more more for Basin the in practiced been has Farming Development and water management water and Development The Murray–Darling Basin Basin animals and habitat The Basin supports a diverse range of plants and The Murray–Darling Basin is Australia’s largest animals. Over 350 species of birds (35 endangered), and most diverse river system — a place of great 100 species of lizards, 53 frogs and 46 snakes national significance with many important social, have been recorded — many of them found only in economic and environmental values. Australia.
The Basin dominates the landscape of eastern At least 34 bird species depend upon wetlands in 1. 2. 6. Australia, covering over one million square the Basin for breeding. The Macquarie Marshes and kilometres — about 14% of the country — Hume Dam at 7% capacity in 2007 (left) and 100% capactiy in 2011 (right) Narran Lakes are vital habitats for colonial nesting including parts of New South Wales, Victoria, waterbirds (including straw-necked ibis, herons, Queensland and South Australia, and all of the cormorants and spoonbills). Sites such as these Australian Capital Territory. Australia’s three A highly variable river system regularly support more than 20,000 waterbirds and, longest rivers — the Darling, the Murray and the when in flood, over 500,000 birds have been seen. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, Murrumbidgee — run through the Basin. Fifteen species of frogs also occur in the Macquarie and despite having one of the world’s largest Marshes, including the striped and ornate burrowing The Basin is best known as ‘Australia’s food catchments, river flows in the Murray–Darling Basin frogs, the waterholding frog and crucifix toad. bowl’, producing around one-third of the are among the lowest in the world. 7. national food supply. Agriculture (and associated More than 60 species of fish live in the Basin’s Most of the Basin is arid or semi-arid, and rainfall industries) has helped create and continues to waterways, including the iconic Murray cod. This varies greatly from year to year. In fact, the Basin has support important regional communities. The includes 11 non-native and seven marine or estuarine the most varied river flows of any similarly-sized river Basin has an important place in the cultural species. Native fish numbers and distribution have system in the world, with long droughts often broken heritage of all Australians. Many of its iconic reduced significantly since European settlement, and by large rainfall events and floods. heritage features underpin our collective identity about 50% of the species are considered threatened and are celebrated in the work of our authors, Water inflows also vary greatly between the north or of conservation significance. painters, film-makers and other artists. and south. The sheer size of the Basin, coupled with Habitat for Basin animals includes over 25,000 8. a high evaporation rate, means that heavy rainfall wetlands — 16 of these have been recognised in upland areas doesn’t always reach downstream internationally for their importance to migratory areas. (94% of rainfall in the Basin is lost to Top to bottom: Canoeing on Keepit Dam, inspecting a demonstration birds. The Basin also contains the world’s largest canola field, and locals enjoying a swim in the River Murray. evaporation.) stand of river red gum, the Barmah–Millewa Forest. It is predicted that climate change will see extremes Many of the native plants and animals in the Basin are Basin people Basin landscapes and climates in weather becoming more common, and modelling protected in national parks and other reserves, which The Basin is home to more than two million people The Murray–Darling Basin is made up of the suggests that the Basin will become hotter and drier, make up around 7% of the Basin’s total area. across four states and one territory. catchments of the Murray and Darling Rivers, and all particularly in the south. of the rivers and creek that flow into them. Many Aboriginal nations are located within the Basin (making up around 15% of the national Indigenous The Basin’s climatic zones range from subtropical Resources population) and their cultural heritage dates back in the far north to cool and humid eastern uplands, The Murray–Darling Basin’s natural resources over 45,000 years. Guided by traditional law and the high alpine country of the Snowy support two million people living within its 2 custom, Aboriginal people protect and conserve Mountains, the temperate southeast and boundaries, and millions of other Australians. ecosystems in their natural state to ensure balance; the hot, dry semi-arid and arid western plains. Industries that rely on these resources include gold, and healthy ecosystems also support their cultural copper, coal and natural gas mining operations; The underlying landscapes of these climatic zones and commercial practices. There are over 10,000 forestry and fisheries; tourism; and all the businesses evolved over hundreds of millions of years. Between known Aboriginal sites in the Basin. that service those sectors. 45 million and 160 million years ago, as Australia European settlement started throughout the Basin separated from the ancient supercontinent of As one of the driest catchments in the world, water is from the early 19th century, and regional centres Gondwana, land near the eastern edge of Australia an extremely valuable resource in the Murray–Darling began developing in support of agriculture and other was pushed upwards to form what is now the Great Basin. More than three million people (living within industries. Many of these have grown into significant Dividing Range. This range forms the eastern and outside the Basin) depend on its water. Water towns or cities such as Toowoomba, Wagga Wagga, boundary of the Basin. About 65 million years ago, is also vital for not only the Basin’s most significant Albury–Wodonga and Bendigo. the southern part of the Basin began to sink slightly, industry — agriculture — but also forestry, fishing, 3. 4. 5. causing the rivers to flow generally westward to the tourism and recreation. The health of many unique Basin communities support a rich and diverse range mouth at Goolwa and eventually forming the Basin’s ecosystems and a large number of plants and animals Left to right: Sacred kingfisher, a river red gum in Doctors Swamp during of cultures, and provide valuable contributions to current southern and western boundaries. is also dependent upon the water. a flood, and the iconic Murray cod. Australia’s economic prosperity and social fabric.
The Murray–Darling Basin | 2 The Murray–Darling Basin | 3
4 | The Murray–Darling Basin Murray–Darling The | 4
the health of the environment. the of health the
set for recovering water that can be used to improve improve to used be can that water recovering for set MDBA Publication 07/14 Publication MDBA
the Basin’s rivers for human use, and a target was was target a and use, human for rivers Basin’s the
Brayden Dykes: 1, 2; Gunther Schmida: 5. 5. Schmida: Gunther 2; 1, Dykes: Brayden set on the amount of water that can be taken from from taken be can that water of amount the on set
David Kleinert: 3; Peter Solness: 11; Keith Ward: 4; 4; Ward: Keith 11; Solness: Peter 3; Kleinert: David November 2012. Under the Basin Plan, a limit was was limit a Plan, Basin the Under 2012. November
7; 6, Baker: John 8,9; Mostead: Arthur solution was the Basin Plan, which became law in in law became which Plan, Basin the was solution
Michael Bell: Cover (aerial view of Renmark), 10; Renmark), of view (aerial Cover Bell: Michael that would result in a healthy, working Basin. The The Basin. working healthy, a in result would that
credits: Image Authority (MDBA) in charge of creating a solution solution a creating of charge in (MDBA) Authority
The Water Act put the Murray–Darling Basin Basin Murray–Darling the put Act Water The
Web: www.mdba.gov.au Web:
[email protected] Email: Parliament.
8053 6248 (02) Fax: This resulted in the Water Act, which was endorsed by by endorsed was which Act, Water the in resulted This
0100 6279 (02) Phone: balanced the needs of people and the environment. environment. the and people of needs the balanced
Australia’s largest and most diverse river system river diverse most and largest Australia’s 2601 ACT Canberra 1801, Box GPO it was agreed that the Basin needed a solution that that solution a needed Basin the that agreed was it
Authority Basin Murray–Darling Spurred by the impacts of recurring drought, by 2007 2007 by drought, recurring of impacts the by Spurred
The Murray–Darling Basin Murray–Darling The
distribution of water between states, for human use. use. human for states, between water of distribution
www.mdba.gov.au. our website: website: our governments. Their primary focus was the fair fair the was focus primary Their governments.
to get the latest updates on the Basin Plan, visit visit Plan, Basin the on updates latest the get to was the responsibility of individual state/territory state/territory individual of responsibility the was
To learn more about the Murray–Darling Basin, or or Basin, Murray–Darling the about more learn To Until recently, Australian water management management water Australian recently, Until
Tell me more me Tell The Water Act and Basin Plan Basin and Act Water The
and the environment. the and ensure the health of the Basin for future generations. future for Basin the of health the ensure
it may be revised to improve outcomes for people people for outcomes improve to revised be may it to be available to support valuable ecosystems and and ecosystems valuable support to available be to
As the Plan takes effect and knowledge increases, increases, knowledge and effect takes Plan the As the Basin’s rivers were managed. More water had had water More managed. were rivers Basin’s the
These issues highlighted a need to change the way way the change to need a highlighted issues These
economic knowledge. knowledge. economic
the best-available scientific, social, cultural and and cultural social, scientific, best-available the green algae outbreaks started occurring more often. more occurring started outbreaks algae green
involved. This made sure the Plan was informed by by informed was Plan the sure made This involved. in the amount of salt in the Basin’s rivers and blue- and rivers Basin’s the in salt of amount the in
Basin, talking and listening to the communities communities the to listening and talking Basin, and natural floods also contributed to an increase increase an to contributed also floods natural and
environmental organisations. We also toured the the toured also We organisations. environmental depend on water to survive. Reductions in river flows flows river in Reductions survive. to water on depend
representatives of industry, Indigenous and and Indigenous industry, of representatives the health of rivers and the plants and animals that that animals and plants the and rivers of health the
with the Basin state governments, scientists, scientists, governments, state Basin the with for the environment. This resulted in a decline in in decline a in resulted This environment. the for
To create the Plan, MDBA worked closely closely worked MDBA Plan, the create To water management decisions, left less and less water water less and less left decisions, management water
rapidly. This increase, combined with droughts and and droughts with combined increase, This rapidly.
from the Basin’s rivers for agriculture increased increased agriculture for rivers Basin’s the from
River Murray at Mildura. at Murray River
From the 1950s, the amount of water being taken taken being water of amount the 1950s, the From Yarrawonga Weir forming Lake Mulwala and irrigation channels, weir on the the on weir channels, irrigation and Mulwala Lake forming Weir Yarrawonga
Clockwise from left: Outflow from Buronga salt interception scheme, scheme, interception salt Buronga from Outflow left: from Clockwise
help reduce the impact of floods. of impact the reduce help
11. 11. 9. 9.
Australia’s development; and they are also used to to used also are they and development; Australia’s
water supply). These structures were vital for inland inland for vital were structures These supply). water
and diverted for human use (providing a more reliable reliable more a (providing use human for diverted and
were built which allowed water to be captured, stored stored captured, be to water allowed which built were
population and industries expanded, dams and weirs weirs and dams expanded, industries and population
around agriculture and related industries. As the the As industries. related and agriculture around
than a century and many regional communities grew grew communities regional many and century a than
10. 10.
Farming has been practiced in the Basin for more more for Basin the in practiced been has Farming Development and water management water and Development 18 17 Landscapes of the Murray–Darling Basin 16 r e v i r R e iv e R r v e i o v g i N e R r r o a l W g r n e Augathella a v L i
R
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0 50 100 Charleville Mitchell N Kilometres Morven Roma Cheepie Miles Legend Chinchilla
k e Co M nd State border e amine Condamine r Rive a r C r l Dalby a Basin border a n
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B Wyandra i Tara 1 v Rivers/creek e r Town or city Brisbane Capital city outside of MDB QUEENSLAND Toowoomba Major water storage iver k ie R e oon Wetlands or natural lake e Beardmore Dam M Moonie r er Millmerran C iv St George r R e Bollon ei Elevation n Allora i W b e Jack Taylor Weir N Cunnamulla k 0-200m e e r Warwick C 200-400m Inglewood a l a l r 400-800m l ive Goondiwindi a R Lake Coolmunda g ne 800-1200m n on Stanthorpe u Bal M intyre Rive r 1200-1600m Dirranbandi Mac r ive er R iv r sq 2 Hungerford R ve e o Ri Texas ar ro ie a r rr m P ve Bi u Ri Mungindi D Glenlyon Lake oa lg Tenterfield Cu Goodooga
Gil Gil Cr r eek Pindari Lake ive r R Lightning Ridge 3 e an Moree Sev iv rr ern R R Enngonia a iver o N eg Warialda rr a Gwydir River W M Wanaaring ac inty Glen Innes er re Narran Lakes iv Inverell Rive n R r wo Bar Walgett Lake Copeton Bourke Brewarrina Wee Waa Bundarra Namoi River Narrabri
Louth Byrock Split Rock Uralla k Manilla Reservoir e e Lake Keepit r C White Cliffs er iv s g R M Coonamble x n o rli a 4 a c C D q u a Tamworth r i Gunnedah e Coonabarabran Chaffey Dam
R i v e Gulargambone r C a Cobar s Werris Creek Wilcannia t Nyngan le re Warren ag h R iver Coolah
iver agar R Broken Hill Talbr Dubbo Tottenham B og Dunedoo an R iv Menindee er Narromine Wellington Lakes NEW SOUTH WALES Tullamore Menindee Mudgee IE Lake Burrendong Lake Windamere ch Rylstone ran ab An Ivanhoe g r in ive Condobolin SOUTH rl n R a Willandra la D Creek ch t La a e Lake Cargelligo Parkes r Portland 15 G Lake Cargelligo Forbes Orange Pooncarie AUSTRALIA Cullen Bullen Lake Brewster er Ungarie iv Hillston Bathurst R ng Lake Cowal Carcoar Lake Sydney Burra rli Oberon Da Grenfell Cowra Goolgowi Booligal B Morgan la n Lake Victoria West Wyalong d Lake Wyangala Wentworth C r e e River M k urray Griffith Barmera Renmark Mildura Mur rumbidg Blanchetown ee River Hanwood Young Loxton Crookwell R Boorowa Swan Reach iver M Leeton urra Hay y Cootamundra Robinvale Adelaide Mannum Hattah Hattah Lakes Balranald Narrandera Colleambally Yass Murray Bridge Moulamein Wagga Wagga Niem Gundagai Lake 14 Karoonda Ouyen ur Lake Tooleybuc Riv Lockhart George Lake Pinnaroo er Burrinjuck Edw B Tumut Alexandrina ar illabong Creek d R Canberra W iv T Swan Hill e u Clayton Tailem Bend Murrayville ak r Blowering ool R Jerilderie m Goolwa iver Deniliquin u Reservoir Henty t AUSTRALIAN
R T Finley i uppa v Meningie Hopetoun Barham l Cree e CAPITAL k Tumbarumba r Lake Albert Lake Albacutya Talbingo TERRITORY Coorong Sea Lake Tocumwal Reservoir Kerang Lake Mulwala Corowa Cabramurra Bro Lake Hindmarsh Kow Swamp ken Go Cre Murray ulbur ek River Lake Hume Adaminaby
L n Echuca Ri Khancoban o v Lake Buloke er Albury/ Nhill d d M Corryong Cooma o Wangaratta O Wodonga it Donald r n ve ta e A Shepparton n M v R s K i i vo r R tta R iv e iv i R ca e v B e e iv n r i ro r w er o R R ke s i n Lake Mokoan a Horsham Avo v d n R er e R R r iv p iv a e Benalla i Lake Dartmouth r Bendigo s Waranga Basin e v h r a e 13 c i p r R Wandiligong m Wimme Cairn a Lake Nillahcootie ra Curran C Riv Lake er Reservoir Eppalock Seymour Omeo Maryborough Goulbur Mansfield n Ri Halls Gap Tullaroop ver Lake Eildon Reservoir 5 VICTORIA Melbourne
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The Murray–Darling Basin: Photos 1. Narran Lakes in flood – Michael Bell • contains 77,000 km of rivers, including Australia’s three longest (Darling, Murrumbidgee, Murray) 2. Dry Warrego floodplain – Arthur Mostead 3. Menindee Lakes – Arthur Mostead • receives very variable rainfall, with drought every decade on average 4. Cliffs along the Murray in the riverland area – Arthur Mostead 5. Murray Mouth and Coorong – Michael Bell • carries very little water for its size: the average yearly flow is less than the daily flow of Brazil’s Amazon River 6. Renmark, South Australia – Michael Bell 7. Mallee scrub at Hattah Lakes – Arthur Mostead • has a broad climatic range from semi-arid and sub-tropical in the north to alpine in the south-east 8. Barmah Forest in flood – Keith Ward 9. Cereal crops in the Murrumbidgee irrigation district – Arthur Mostead • has around two million residents 10. Hume Dam on the River Murray – Michael Bell 11. Dartmouth Dam, the MDB’s largest storage – Michael Bell • produces 1/3 of Australia’s food 12. Tumut River landscape – Irene Dowdy 13. Snowmelt in the Alpine region – Arthur Mostead • contains over 30,000 wetlands (16 are listed under the Ramsar Convention for their international significance) 14. Canola crops near Cootamundra – Arthur Mostead 15. Flooding near Bourke – Arthur Mostead • has one World Heritage site (Willandra Lakes region) 16. Cotton harvesting in the Darling Downs region – Arthur Mostead 17. Balonne River downstream of St George – Arthur Mostead • is home to more than 95 threatened species (35 birds, 16 mammals and five snakes are endangered). 18. Barwon River upstream of Walgett – Arthur Mostead
© Murray–Darling Basin Authority for and on behalf of the Commonwealth For more information on the Murray–Darling Basin, visit our website: www.mdba.gov.au of Australia, 2014. With the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, the MDBA logo, all photographs, graphics and trade marks, this publication is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence.