WATER QUALITY THREATS - MARCH 2025

CANBERRA, ACT, March 18 -- Murray-Darling Basin Authority issued the following news release:

The likelihood of water quality issues typically reduces as the season transitions from warmer to cooler months.

Conditions remain favourable for algal growth across much of the Basin, particularly within some northern Basin rivers/storages, the Menindee Lakes and lower Darling-Baaka, parts of the Lachlan/Murrumbidgee and mid-Murray systems, and some central Victorian storages.

Low dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions are being experienced in some areas of the Basin including parts of the Barwon-Darling, Menindee Lakes, and the Lachlan.

Bushfire contamination may impact the Grampians region of Victoria.

Water quality within the Basin is monitored by individual States. Any site-specific alerts, warnings or advisories are issued by those respective States.

* Blue-green algae (BGA) / algal blooms: Algae can pose a risk to the health of humans and animals. Algal risks are currently elevated particularly within northern Basin rivers/storages, Menindee Lakes and lower Darling-Baaka, parts of the Lachlan/Murrumbidgee and mid-Murray systems, and some central Victorian storages. * Low dissolved oxygen (DO): Low dissolved oxygen can pose a risk to the health of aquatic life. Low DO is currently affecting some of the Basin including parts of the Barwon-Darling, Menindee Lakes, and the Lachlan. * Bushfire contamination: Ash and soil can more readily enter waterways, impacting water chemistry and aquatic processes. Contamination from Victoria's Grampians bushfires may affect the local downstream catchment.

For information on water quality issues in your area, visit the respective agency contacts on our Report water quality issues or fish deaths page.

Location Acid Sulfate Soils BGA / Algal Blooms Blackwater Bushfire Contamination Elevated Salinity High Turbidity Low DO

Border Rivers-Moonie Unlikely Likely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Condamine-Balonne Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Warrego-Paroo-Nebine Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Gwydir-Border Rivers Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Namoi Unlikely Almost certain Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Lower Macquarie-Castlereagh-Bogan Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Upper Macquarie-Cudgegong Unlikely Almost Certain Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Barwon-Darling Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Likely

Menindee Lakes Unlikely Almost Certain Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Possible

Lower Darling (Baaka) (Menindee to Wentworth) Unlikely Likely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Lachlan (Upper) Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Lachlan (Lower) Unlikely Likely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Possible

Murrumbidgee (Upper) Unlikely Likely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Murrumbidgee (Mid) Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Murrumbidgee (Lower) Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Edward-Wakool Unlikely Likely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Murray (upstream of Hume Dam) Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Murray (Hume to Yarrawonga) Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Murray (Yarrawonga to Euston) Unlikely Likely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Murray (Euston to Lock 10) Unlikely Likely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Murray (Lock 10 to SA Border) Unlikely Likely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Kiewa Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Ovens Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Goulburn-Broken Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Campaspe Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Avoca-Loddon Unlikely Almost Certain Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Grampians-Wimmera-Mallee Unlikely Possible Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Murray (SA Border to Waikerie) Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Murray (Waikerie to Lock 1) Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Murray (SA below Lock 1) Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Lower Lakes Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

Coorong Unlikely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely

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