We deliver water for the environment when and where plants and animals need it most. This includes releasing water from dams to support the health of local water systems. Pinpoints on the map show current water activities across the Murray–Darling Basin.
During 2025 a shift in understanding occurred within NSW of how held environmental water is treated under a range of water-sharing and policy areas. This has been impacting our ability to deliver Commonwealth environmental water in NSW.
We have worked with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW) on how the take of held environmental water is being interpreted under NSW law. The CEWH is satisfied that its regulatory obligations can be met for a number of planned watering actions in NSW and these will be proceeding.
The CEWH continues to work with key stakeholders to enable watering in all NSW locations.
We provide transparency of our water planning and use and will continue to update this map on a fortnightly basis with planned and active watering actions, including those in NSW.
The map is updated every 2 weeks.
Direct any enquiries for the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder to ewater@dcceew.gov.au
Direct enquiries for NSW to water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au
For more information, visit Updated statement on Commonwealth environmental watering and non-urban water metering in New South Wales.
Legend
| Catchment | Status | Summary |
|---|
Regions in the Basin
We’ve divided the Basin into 11 key regions. For each region, you can learn about:
- The region: the environment, history and First Nations peoples.
- Current priorities: our long-term environmental goals and plans for this water year.
- Science and monitoring: how plants and animals are responding to water for the environment.
- Local engagement: our Local Engagement Officers (LEOs) and delivery partners.
Border Rivers and Moonie Valleys
The Border Rivers and Moonie Valleys are located in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Condamine–Balonne Valley
The Condamine–Balonne Valley is one of the largest catchments in the Murray–Darling Basin covering the north-eastern corner of the Basin.
Gwydir Valley
The Gwydir Valley is in north-eastern New South Wales and centres around the Gwydir River.
Lachlan River
The Lachlan Valley is in central western New South Wales and centres around the Lachlan River.
Lower Darling / Baaka River
The lower Darling / Baaka river region is downstream from the Menindee lakes and through to the River Murray. It includes the lower Darling / Baaka River and the Great Darling Anabranch.
Macquarie Valley
The Macquarie Valley is in central western New South Wales and centres around the Castlereagh, Macquarie and Bogan River valleys.
Murrumbidgee River Valley
The Murrumbidgee River Valley covers 84,000 square kilometres of southern New South Wales.
Namoi Valley
The Namoi River Valley is in north-eastern New South Wales and centres around the Namoi, Manilla and Peel rivers.
River Murray Valley
The River Murray Valley extends from near Mount Kosciuszko to the Southern Ocean at Goolwa, in South Australia.
Victorian Rivers
The Victorian rivers includes the Ovens, Goulburn-Broken, Loddon, Wimmera and Campaspe catchments.
Warrego and Barwon-Darling Valleys
The Warrego and Barwon–Darling valleys lie in the Murray–Darling Basin's north.