Murray–Darling Basin overview
- Heavy rainfall during winter-spring contributed to very high streamflows.
- Storage volumes in the Murray–Darling Basin increased for the first time since 2012.
- Total water use was 11,233 GL, more than 20% higher than last year.
Climate and water
Rainfall across Australia during July 2016–June 2017 compared with historical records (1911–2017)
- Total annual rainfall in the region was above average, particularly over the southern part of the basin.
- During September–October 2016, the climate was influenced by a negative Indian Ocean Dipole phase that contributed to high rainfall across the entire region.
Percentage-full volume at 30 June 2017 for region storages compared with the previous seven years
- Storage volumes increased from 39% to 69% full, the first annual increase in storage since 2012.
- High rainfall during winter and spring 2016 contributed to total storage volume exceeding 85% full in mid-November 2016.
Water availability
Water allocations and abstractions in the region for 2016–17
- Total water allocation was 16,103 GL, almost 32% higher than last year.
- The increase in allocation reflects the increased water availability and wetter conditions experienced across the region.
- 53% of allocated water was abstracted, which is less than the previous year.
Water sources and supply
Total water sourced in the region for 2016–17 compared with 2015–16
- Total water sourced in the region was 11,233 GL, more than 20% higher than last year.
- The higher water use reflects the increased water availability across the region.
- Surface water made up 89% of total water supply.
Users of water in the region for the 2016–17 year and five surface water management areas that are the highest water users
- 79% of water supply was used for irrigation, industry and other uses.
- 18% was used for environmental purposes, a large proportion of which occurred in the River Murray in South Australia.
Water trade
Interstate trade allocation activity (in ML) in the Murray–Darling Basin region in 2016–17
- The Murray–Darling Basin accounts for more than 95% of surface water entitlement trade and almost all of the allocation trade in the National Water Account.
- The volume of trade in surface water allocations in the region was 6,649 GL, a 24% increase from the previous year.
- South Australia was a net importer of allocation water, while New South Wales and Victoria were net exporters, which is similar to the previous 3 years.