A year in the Murray and Baaka – Lower Darling catchments: 2024–25

In 2024–25, water for the environment was delivered to protect biodiversity, strengthen the resilience and support the cultural significance of our waterways, wetlands and wildlife.

Key outcomes

Under moderate conditions, environmental water managers worked closely with partner agencies and stakeholders to coordinate flows that delivered important ecological outcomes. This included:

• supporting the dispersal of juvenile golden perch, also known as yellow belly
• enhancing the growth and survival of juvenile Murray cod and the threatened silver perch
• improving the health of wetlands and river red gum forests
• enabling successful waterbird nesting, including the threatened Australasian bittern
• facilitating breeding and recruitment of southern bell frogs at several privately owned wetland sites
• partnering with Aboriginal groups and delivery partners to support cultural outcomes, in addition to ecological outcomes, across sites within the Murray and Baaka – Lower Darling reaches.

These efforts contributed to the recovery and resilience of key species and habitats across the river system, as well as supported the cultural values and significance of local Aboriginal peoples.

Catchment conditions

During the 2024–25 year, the Murray and Baaka – Lower Darling catchments continued to experience variable weather conditions, with average rainfall and fluctuating temperatures. Water availability remained relatively high, with Lower Darling general security allocations starting at 100% on 1 July 2024, and Murray general security allocations reaching 110% by February 2025.

Although water availability was relatively high, very dry conditions in the Murray catchment resulted in few unregulated flow events. This placed significant pressure on environmental water accounts to meet ecological needs across the system, especially early in the season. To maximise impact, water for the environment was prioritised at key sites to maintain ecological outcomes achieved during previous high-flow years.

Partnering with Aboriginal peoples

Water for Country represents the planning and delivery of environmental water by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples across New South Wales. This work continues to progress, supporting ecological outcomes while also protecting and revitalising cultural places, values, and interests.

In 2024–25, environmental water managers worked in collaboration with Aboriginal groups and delivery partners to support ecological and cultural outcomes at several sites including the Murray River, Edward–Wakool–Niemur river system, Werai Lands, Millewa Forest, Koondrook–Perricoota Forest, and the Baaka – Lower Darling.

Watering aims

Under a moderate resource availability scenario, the Murray and Lower Darling Environmental Water Advisory Group developed its annual environmental water priorities in the Murray and Baaka – Lower Darling catchments 2024–25.

Aims for environmental water use in 2024–25 focused on:

• maintaining the basic ecological functions and resilience of key environmental assets
• supporting small-scale breeding and recruitment across a range of native flora and fauna
• enhancing connectivity and flow processes between low-lying floodplains and rivers.

As conditions across much of the catchment became drier, environmental water managers adjusted their strategies to:

• reconnect critical floodplain and wetland habitats
• create opportunities for broader-scale breeding and dispersal of native fish and other water-dependent species.

These adaptive responses helped sustain ecological values and supported biodiversity under changing climatic conditions.

Water delivery

This table and chart provide a summary of the 511,120 megalitres of water for the environment delivered in the Murray and Baaka – Lower Darling catchments during the 2024–25 watering year.

Figures were accurate at the date of publishing but may be subsequently adjusted. Watering event numbers in the table and chart relate to location numbers marked on the map.

_{Notes: CEW = Commonwealth licensed environmental water; EWA = environmental water allowance accrued under the Water Sharing Plan; NSW = NSW licensed environmental water; TLM = The Living Murray; BED = bulk entitlement delivery.}

Outcomes

In 2024–25, environmental water managers partnered with stakeholders and communities to deliver flows to priority ecological sites across the catchment. Multiple locations within each site received water that supported native fish, waterbirds, and endangered species like the southern bell frog and Australasian bittern. 

A total 477,246 megalitres of NSW water holdings from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, The Living Murray program, and NSW planned and held environmental allocations was delivered to the Murray River, Edward–Wakool–Niemur system, Baaka – Lower Darling, Great Darling Anabranch, Ramsar-listed forests including Millewa, Koondrook–Perricoota, and Werai Lands, and Lower Murray River sites, such as Bottle Bend Reserve, Lake Gol Gol, and Thegoa Lagoon.

These flows supported breeding and recruitment of Murray cod, golden perch, and silver perch, improved floodplain vegetation, and provided nesting habitat for waterbirds and a diversity of other species.

An additional 28,832 megalitres was delivered via Murray Irrigation channels and private infrastructure, creating habitat for southern bell frogs in wetlands and creeks across the Deniliquin, Wakool and Moulamein districts.

Additionally, 5,043 megalitres of the Lower Darling Environmental Water Allowance was used to address ongoing water quality issues in the Baaka – Lower Darling at Menindee. Water for the environment was also used to support native fish recovery in this reach, with slightly elevated flows maintained to provide habitat, food, and support for native fish recruitment.

Case study: Edward River Flow Trial

The Edward River Flow Trial was conducted in October 2024 to boost environmental water delivery through the Edward–Wakool system. The trial used the Murray irrigation canal system to extend floodplain inundation in the Edward River and Colligen Creek–Niemur River system, including the Werai Lands Ramsar site.

The aim of the enhanced flows was to support native fish breeding and provide additional return flows to South Australia. The success of the trial required close collaboration between environmental water managers, river operators, Murray irrigation, contractors undertaking ecological monitoring, and the Werai Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation.

From late September to the end of November 2024, flows in the Edward River downstream of Stevens Weir were maintained above 2,700 megalitres/day as part of a broader Murray River multi-site watering event. This volume approached the maximum flow rate achievable in this reach given upstream flow constraints. During October additional Commonwealth environmental water was delivered from the Edward escape on top of the multi-site event, with the aim of boosting flows to 3,400 megalitres/day over 12 days.

Key learnings and outcomes

The flow trial required extensive planning and collaboration among agencies, stakeholders, and monitoring teams. Weekly meetings during the trial ensured adaptive management and transparency throughout the process.

A monitoring program captured data on flows, inundation, and water quality. This included daily photo points and weekly flow tracking. Early findings showed improved condition in the river red gum forests and flourishing understorey vegetation. Floodplain flows boosted nutrients and organic carbon in Colligen Creek, enhancing productivity with minimal water quality issues.

With strong stakeholder support and valuable insights gained, conditions permitting, another trial is well-positioned for winter/spring 2025.