Macquarie River (New South Wales)

Course and tributaries

The river’s headwaters collect runoff from the elevated parts of the New South Wales central tablelands. Major tributaries include the Cudgegong and Turon rivers, together with numerous creeks and gullies that contribute to seasonal variability in flow. The Macquarie flows through a mix of upland valleys, regulated reservoirs and broad alluvial plains before reaching the marshes.

Water works and management

Flow in the Macquarie is regulated by storage and control structures, the largest being Burrendong Dam near Wellington. Burrendong creates Lake Burrendong and was built to reduce flood risk, provide town and stock water and supply irrigation. The dam’s role in moderating floods (floods) and releasing water for farming and communities has shaped the river’s downstream behaviour. Irrigation and water allocation practices (irrigation) remain important and sometimes contentious elements of river management.

Ecology and the Macquarie Marshes

The Macquarie Marshes are a complex of permanent and seasonal wetlands that depend on the river’s flow regime. They support a wide range of plants and wildlife and are recognised for their international wetland importance. Changes in timing and volume of flows—owing to drought, diversions and regulation—affect the marshes’ health and the species they sustain, including waterbirds and native fish.

Human history and uses

The river corridor has long been used by Aboriginal peoples, particularly the Wiradjuri, as a source of food, cultural sites and transport. European exploration and settlement in the 19th century brought pastoralism, agriculture and towns that grew along the river. Today the Macquarie continues to provide water for towns, industry and agriculture, while also being a focus for conservation efforts and floodplain management.

Notable issues and conservation

• Balancing environmental flows with agricultural water demands is a recurring policy challenge.
• Flooding remains a natural hazard despite dams and levees; managed releases and planning are used to reduce damage.
• Conservation programs aim to restore more natural flow patterns to benefit the Macquarie Marshes and associated habitats.

The Macquarie River illustrates the tensions common to regulated inland rivers: it is valued for its water supply, agriculture and towns, while its ecological values and the health of downstream wetlands depend on careful management of flows and catchment land use. For further regional information see resources for New South Wales and local river authorities.