River Murray Surges Back to Life After Record Rainfall

For the first time in years, Tasha Morath can actually feel the River Murray pushing back during her daily morning swim.

After two brutal years of drought, the River Murray is roaring back to life with 22.5 gigalitres of water flowing into South Australia every day. That's more than five times the flow from August 2024, when just 4 gigalitres trickled across the border.

The transformation happened fast. A wet winter dumped unexpected rain across the southern Murray Darling Basin, filling tributaries and sending fresh water surging downstream.

Morath, who has swum in the river every day for seven years, noticed the change immediately. "I can definitely feel the resistance at the moment," she said while watching pelicans glide across the revitalized waters. "There's plenty of fish jumping in the water."

The timing couldn't be better. At the start of 2026, the outlook looked grim with forecasts predicting an El Niño weather pattern and continued drought.

Instead, nature delivered a surprise. Water delivery manager Damian Rowley from the Department for Environment and Water said these are the strongest flows since the 2022-23 floods. "It was looking pretty dry at the start of this calendar year," he said. "Increased flows are good environmentally with benefits for fish, frogs, and flood plain connection."

The river has risen 15 to 20 centimeters, opening up creeks and backwaters that had been dry for months. Brenton Carle, who operates school camps along the river, said the higher water makes navigating easier and brings wildlife back in force.

"Turtles are breeding and laying eggs and everything's looking really good," Carle said. "You have your big yabby runs coming through, so there's lots of animals for the kids to catch."

The Ripple Effect

The river's recovery touches everyone along its banks. Teachers returning year after year with school groups are witnessing the dramatic shift from drought to abundance. Kids can explore creeks that were impassable just months ago.

Local businesses dependent on water activities are breathing easier too. Fishing, boating, kayaking, and skiing are all back in full swing as the river regains its strength.

Wildlife is responding immediately to the improved conditions. Fish populations are rebounding, giving pelicans and other water birds reason to return. The flood plains are reconnecting with the main channel, creating breeding grounds for species that struggled during the dry years.

The Department for Environment and Water expects flows to dip slightly at the end of August before another surge arrives in early September as recent Victorian rainfall makes its way downstream.

One wet winter has reminded everyone along the River Murray that nature can surprise us in wonderful ways.