Past allocations

This page provides a record of past River Murray water allocation decisions in South Australia, including opening allocations, allocation changes and official announcements.

This page will help you:

• view historical allocation percentages
• track how allocations changed during each water year
• access official allocation statements and announcements
• compare allocation decisions over time
• find supporting records for past decisions 

On this page

• Summary of Class 3 (High Security) opening water allocations
• How allocations improved in drier years
• Detailed allocation history
• Earlier allocation announcements 

Summary of Class 3 (High Security) opening water allocations

How allocations improved in drier years

The graph below shows how and when allocations improved in years when opening allocations were less than 100 per cent. Years in which allocations opened and remained at 100 per cent are not included.

Some observations:

• Allocation improvements are most likely to occur between July to November, which is when most inflows occur.
• In the driest years of the Millennium drought (until 2011-12), allocations did not increase to 100 percent.
• Since 2011-12, allocations have increased to 100 per cent every year.

Detailed allocation history

The sections below show allocation changes for each water year, with links to the official allocation statement and allocation announcement for each decision.

2025-26 allocations

In 2025-26 the projected and opening water allocations for South Australian Class 3 (High Security) and Class 8 entitlement holders were 100 percent.

2024-25 allocations

In 2024-25 the projected and opening water allocations for South Australian Class 3 (High Security) and Class 8 entitlement holders were 100 percent.

2023-24 allocations

In 2023-24 the projected and opening water allocations for South Australian Class 3 (High Security) and Class 8 entitlement holders were 100 per cent.

2022-23 allocations

In 2022-23 the projected and opening water allocations for South Australian Class 3 (High Security) and Class 8 entitlement holders were100 per cent. Allocations remained at 100 per cent for the water year.

2021-22 allocations

Minimum water allocations in 2021-22 for South Australian Class 3 (High Security) and Class 8 entitlement holders reached 100 per cent from 15 June 2021.

2020-21 allocations

Minimum water allocations in 2020-21 for South Australian Class 3 (High Security) and Class 8 entitlement holders reached 100 per cent from 17 August 2020.

2019-20 allocations

The table below shows allocation changes for Class 3 (High Security) entitlement holders during 2019–20.

Allocation announcements and related media

Allocation statements were not published before the 2019–20 water year.

The items below include allocation announcements and related media releases that provide a record of allocation decisions and water availability updates for earlier years.

2026

• 15 April 2026: SA River Murray irrigation allocations projected to open at 62 per cent for 2026-27

2025

• 15 April 2025: River Murray water allocations to open at 100 per cent

2024

• 14 June 2024: River Murray water allocations open at 100 per cent

2021

• 17 May 2021: More positive news for SA irrigators with latest allocation outlook

2020

• 23 September 2020: River Murray water users reminded of requirements to remain within allocations
• 3 August 2020: River Murray water allocations raised to 81 percent
• 15 July 2020: River Murray water allocations continue to rise in 2020-21
• 1 July 2020: Minimum River Murray water allocations for 2020-21 increase to 54 percent

2019

• 1 November 2019: River Murray water allocations – fortnightly update
• 15 October 2019: River Murray water allocations – fortnightly update
• 1 October 2019: River Murray water allocations – fortnightly update
• 16 September 2019: River Murray water allocations – fortnightly update
• 2 September 2019: River Murray water allocations – fortnightly update
• 15 August 2019: River Murray water allocations rise to 68 per cent
• 1 August 2019: River Murray water allocations rise to 50 per cent
• 15 July 2019: SA River Murray water allocations continue to rise

2018

• 16 April 2018: South Australia secures 100% water allocations

2017

• 15 March 2017: Water allocations for 2017-18 to open at 100%

2016

• 12 August 2016: When it rains it pours - great news for our irrigators
• 15 July 2016: Allocations boosted for SA River Murray Entitlement Holders
• 29 June 2016: Positive outlook for River Murray water allocations
• 28 April 2016: Minimum allocations reflect very dry conditions and low inflows
• 28 April 2016: Frequently asked questions

2015

• 15 June 2015: Full allocations for River Murray water access entitlement holders

2014

• 17 June 2014: Murray irrigators to receive full allocation

2013

• 30 May 2013: 100 per cent 2013-14 water allocation for SA’s River Murray irrigators

2012

• 28 March 2012: River Murray allocations 100 per cent from July

2011

• 6 June 2011: River Murray allocations 100 per cent from July
• 16 March 2011: River Murray water resources update
• 15 February 2011: River Murray water resources update

2010

• 31 December 2010: River Murray water resources update
• 15 December 2010: River Murray water resources update
• 1 December 2010: River Murray water resources and carryover update
• 15 November 2010: River Murray resources update
• 1 November 2010: Improved River Murray water resources conditions
• 15 October 2010: 510 GL of water secured for 2011/12 water year
• 1 October 2010: River Murray allocations increase to 67 per cent
• 15 September 2010: River Murray allocations increase to 63 per cent
• 1 September 2010: Irrigator allocations increased to 41 per cent
• 16 August 2010: Good winter rain allows increased allocations
• 2 August 2010: River Murray irrigation allocations increase to 31 per cent
• 15 July 2010: River Murray irrigation allocations increase to 24 per cent
• 1 July 2010: River Murray irrigation allocations open at 21 per cent
• 17 June 2010: Cautious optimism for 2010-11 water year
• 1 April 2010: Floodwaters on their way to South Australia
• 4 January 2010: River Murray irrigation allocations remain at 48 cent

2009

• 15 December 2009: River Murray irrigation allocations remain at 48 cent
• 1 December 2009: River Murray irrigation allocations remain at 48 cent
• 16 November 2009: River Murray irrigation allocations rise to 48 cent
• 2 November 2009: More water available for SA irrigators
• 15 October 2009: Irrigation allocations increase to 34 per cent
• 15 September 2009: Irrigation allocations increase to 16 per cent
• 1 September 2009: River Murray allocations to increase to 10 per cent
• 17 August 2009: Irrigation allocations remain at 5 per cent
• 15 June 2009: Opening allocation and carry-over announced for 2009-10
• 15 May 2009: Opening irrigation allocation likely for new water year
• 15 April 2009: River Murray allocations reach only 18 per cent for 2008-09
• 16 March 2009: River Murray irrigation allocations to stay at 18 per cent

Contact or next steps

For current allocation updates or advice:

• check the latest allocation information on this website
• contact the Department for Environment and Water
• speak with your water licensing officer 

Related links

• Water allocations and carryover
• Current allocations
• Carryover and other options
• How River Murray water is allocated