Basins & catchments

Our department plays an important role in researching and reporting on rivers, groundwater and catchment health.

We are developing detailed catchment description reports, initially for the major inland regulated river valleys and later covering the whole state. The reports include information such as climate, hydrology, environmental aspects, land use, water resources, regulating structures and water resource management.

1. 

   Murray-Darling Basin

   The Murray-Darling Basin is the catchment for the Murray and Darling Rivers covering most of inland NSW and extending from Queensland to South Australia.

2. 

   Great Artesian Basin

   The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) is one of the largest and deepest underground freshwater resources in the world. It lies below 22 percent of Australia, extending into Queensland, South Australia, NSW and Northern Territory. Nearly 25 per cent of NSW is covered by the GAB.

3. 

   Snowy River

   The upper catchments of the Snowy River Basin are in south-east NSW. Of the lower catchments, 50 per cent are in north-eastern Victoria. The NSW portion of the catchment area is 9,070 square kilometres.

4. 

   Lower Darling

   Deloitte was commissioned to report on possible options for water security in the Lower Darling arising from the proposed Menindee Lakes Water Savings Project.

5. 

   Catchment snapshots

   Find out about the water resources and water management issues, including real-time water data in all New South Wales catchments.