Water for Rivers is working in partnership with State Water and the NSW Department of Water and Energy (DWE) to establish the Murrumbidgee River as the worlds most efficiently managed and operated working river system.

This project will investigate a range of options aimed at improving the measurement and monitoring of water flows and water use to a standard appropriate to the value of the water resource. It will also look at ways in which evaporation can be reduced, levels of service delivery can be enhanced and agricultural production and environmental river health can be sustained.

An improvement in river efficiency will provide more water for everyone, including irrigators and the environment. 

The Murrumbidgee River Efficiency Project will enable the delivery of the correct amount of irrigation water to the right place on time with minimal wastage. These improvements will be achieved through investment in technology that will enable accurate and real time measurement of water extractions, river flows, and forecasting of tributary inflows. 

This information will be fed into an appropriate flow and demand forecasting computer model to closely manage dam releases to accurately meet customer needs downstream. The river operating model will enable more precise operation of dams and regulating structures and be linked to an upgraded water ordering and billing system.

The Murrumbidgee River Efficiency Project is in an investigation and feasibility stage.

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Murrumbidgee Project Diagram (1708 KB)