Full allocation for SA River Murray irrigators

This is the third and final increase since the projected minimum allocation of 62 per cent was announced on April 15, which was based on the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s “worst case” water availability.

Under the water allocation plan (WAP) for the South Australian River Murray, which was developed in partnership with irrigators and other stakeholders, allocations are determined using a deliberately conservative approach to minimise the risk of allocations going backwards over a water year. 

The updated allocation reflects the moderate to high rainfall across the upper Murray catchments during June, which has improved inflows to the River Murray system and associated water storages.

Irrigators were not eligible to carry over any unused allocation volumes from 2025-26 into the 2026-27 water year, as the minimum opening allocation announced on April 15 exceeded the 50 per cent threshold set in the WAP.

Damian Rowley, the Department for Environment and Water’s Acting Water Delivery Manager, said the increase reflected improved water resource conditions in the Murray Darling Basin.

“Rainfall across key catchments throughout June has generated increased inflows to the shared MDBA storages, resulting in improvements to water resource availability for South Australian entitlement flow,” he said. 

“The increase to full allocation is good news for River Murray entitlement holders this season.

“Allocations have now increased to 100 per cent every year since 2011-12.”

As allocations have reached 100 per cent, no further announcements are planned for the 2026-27 water year.

For more information visit the Department for Environment and Water’s website and the Murray- Darling Basin Authority website.