Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is confident that system demands will be met across the 2025-26 water year, despite a dry start to the season.

The MDBA has released its Annual Operating Outlook for 2025–26, which outlines how the River Murray System might be managed under different water availability scenarios for the year ahead.

The report outlines six possible scenarios, ranging from extreme dry to wet conditions.

As at June 1, 2025, active storage shared across Dartmouth Dam, Hume Reservoir, Menindee Lakes and Lake Victoria were at 56 per cent.

MDBA senior director, river operations Tom Zouch said while inflows for July were below-average, water transfers from Dartmouth Dam to Hume had already occurred to help meet the forecast demands over the coming months.

“We’re currently sitting around the middle of the ‘dry’ planning scenarios and we’re actively managing the system to stay ahead of need,” Mr Zouch said.

“We’re prepared for a range of conditions, and we’re well placed to meet demands down the Murray this year, even if dry conditions persist.”

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting above-average rainfall through winter and spring, which could boost inflows and improve the outlook.

If conditions turn wet, storages at Dartmouth and Hume have capacity to capture inflows and boost resources.

For more information and to read the full report visit the MDBA website.

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Thursday, 23rd October 2025

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