We use monitoring, evaluation and research to assess environmental outcomes and inform adaptive management, using the below indicators that reflect the health of the Basin.
Read more about our Evaluation and Research work here
River Flows and Connectivity
Native Vegetation
Waterbirds
Native Fish
Cultural Outcomes
Species Diversity
Ecosystem Diversity
Food Webs and Water Quality
We work along 10 river systems within the Basin, conducting targeted monitoring and research to understand local ecosystem responses and inform water management practices. The data is also used to help inform Basin Evaluation.
Border, Barwon & Namoi
Darling and Warrego
Goulburn River and Northern Victorian Tributaries
Gwydir
Lachlan
Lower Balonne
Lower Murray and Coorong, Lower Lakes, and Murray Mouth
Macquarie River and Marshes
Mid-Murray
Murrumbidgee
Learn more about the current research projects of the Flow-MER Program.
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The Gwydir Wetlands is a floodplain ecosystem of international importance, areas of which are listed under the Ramsar Convention. The wetlands support threatened and vulnerable plant and animal species and ecological communities.
Beautiful as it is rugged, the Western Floodplain of the Warrego (Warriku) River to its junction with the Darling (Baaka) River west of Bourke, covers over 10,000 hectares and boasts an amazing collection of habitats.
This digital booklet captures that journey. It reflects the progress, partnerships, and knowledge built through Flow-MER – the Basin’s largest and longest-running environmental water science program.
Flow-MER waterbird ground surveys were conducted at 10 sites in the Dharriwaa – Narran Lakes Nature Reserve in August 2025, the first for the 2025-2026 water year.
Vegetation survey data for Narran Lakes Nature Reserve, spanning 20 years (2004-2024), have recently been collated by the Griffith University Native Vegetation team, led by Dr Rebekah Grieger.
In September, the Flow-MER vegetation team surveyed 15 riparian transects within the Macquarie River and Marshes Area.
Flow-MER waterbird ground surveys were conducted at 12 Macquarie Marshes sites in August 2025, the first for the 2025-2026 water year. Many parts of the Marshes were inundated, particularly in the northern nature reserve, creating feeding habitat for waterbird species.
In January 2025, researchers heard an endangered Australasian bittern in the Gwydir Wetlands, where the species had virtually disappeared. With only 1,300 left in Australia, they hope environmental flows will bring a breeding comeback.
The latest evaluation reports from the Flow MER Program and CEWH highlight a decade of progress in delivering water for the environment across the Murray Darling Basin. Findings show how science, adaptive management and collaboration continue to shape outcomes for fish, birds, ve
Researchers and Flow MER teams are using drones and deep learning to monitor how lignum responds to water for the environment. With 91% accuracy across four river systems, this collaboration is helping build a clearer picture of how floodplain vegetation recovers and thrives.
Researchers reveal how waterbirds cope with Australia’s highly variable climate and hydrology, and how they “chase the floods” across vast distances. By attaching tiny satellite-tracking backpacks to 200+ birds, the project gathered more than 50,000 bird‑days of tracking data.
Kolety Werkul River Rangers worked with scientists to monitor the first environmental watering of Werai Forest since 2009. Blending cultural knowledge with science, they tracked how flows support the forest’s plants, animals, and cultural heritage.
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