Murrumbidgee

Murrumbidgee is a major river in southern New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, and a principal tributary of the Murray River. The name is of Indigenous origin, associated with language groups such as the Wiradhuri, though the precise meaning is uncertain. The river forms a central part of the Murray-Darling Basin, an expansive system of rivers and floodplains used for water supply, agriculture, and ecosystems.

The river rises on the slopes of the Snowy Mountains and flows generally westward across the Riverina. It passes through towns including Tumut, Gundagai, Wagga Wagga, Narrandera, Griffith, and Leeton before joining the Murray River.

Much of the lower river valley is the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA), an extensive irrigation district established to support farming in the 20th century. Water from the river supports crops, pasture, and livestock across the region.

Key infrastructure on the river includes Burrinjuck Dam and Blowering Dam, which regulate flow, provide water storage, and generate hydroelectric power. The river's management is governed by Murray-Darling Basin arrangements and state water policies.

Indigenous peoples, including the Wiradhuri, have long inhabited the river valley, with European exploration and settlement following in the 19th century. Today the Murrumbidgee supports agriculture, communities, and recreational activities, while facing environmental pressures such as drought, invasive species, and salinity challenges.