Temporary water restriction for the Upper Murrumbidgee River

The NSW Government has announced a temporary water restriction for the Upper Murrumbidgee River in the Murrumbidgee I and II water sources from Saturday 15 March to Sunday 4 May 2025 due to dry conditions.

The temporary water restriction is required to protect environmental water releases from extraction in the upper Murrumbidgee River to improve ecological outcomes.

This order increases the cease-to-pump thresholds which apply to unregulated river access licence holders to protect environmental flows while still enabling available water to be accessed by those licence holders.

Raised cease-to-pump threshold are published on the WaterInsights Murrumbidgee I and II pages:

• Murrumbidgee I
• Murrumbidgee II

The temporary water restriction does not apply to stock and domestic water or town water supply.

The restriction will remain in force until midnight on Sunday 4 May 2025, unless it is amended, or the order is repealed before that date.

These environmental water releases do not impact Cooma’s town water supply.

We are actively monitoring conditions in the Upper Murrumbidgee. If they remain dry, there is a chance drought management measures may be required to maintain high priority needs including town water.

If this occurs, we may need to adjust the temporary water restriction to a cease-to-take announcement which restricts all unregulated licence extraction. We will continue to keep the community informed of any changes.

For more information visit: Temporary water restrictions.