Murray–Darling Basin: Key findings

For the water account period 1 July 2019–30 June 2020

  • Total annual rainfall was well below average for the third consecutive year.
  • End-of-year storage volume increased to 40% full due to high rainfall in February–April 2020.
  • Water taken for consumptive use was 6,200 GL, 17% less than last year.

Climate and water

Rainfall

Rainfall icon

368 mm

below the average of 464 mm

Streamflow

Streamflow icon

below average

for most of the year

Storage

Storage icon

40% full

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25% more than last year

Water use

Accessible water

Graph showing breakdown of sources of water lawfully accessible for take in the Murray–Darling Basin region. A total of 9,936 GL of water was lawfully accessible for take in the 2019–20 year. Surface water and groundwater made up 70% and 30% of total accessible water respectively.

Water taken

Graph showing breakdown of water users in the Murray–Darling Basin region. A total of 9,936 GL of water was lawfully accessible for take in the 2019–20 year. 55% of total water accessible was taken by individual users, 5% was taken for town supply, and 3% was taken under basic rights. 37% of the accessible water was not used.

* water accessible for consumptive use

Water status

Entitlements

18,650 GL

total surface water and groundwater entitlements

Water availability

21,978 GL

surface water available in 2019–20

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38% less than average

Outlook

Increase

in storage expected during the 2020–21 year