Dredging resumed at Murray Mouth following late 2022 South Australia floods

Dredging of the Murray Mouth resumed earlier this week the first time since the 2022/23 floods to help protect the health of South Australia’s Lower Lakes and Coorong.

While the floods and high midyear flows combined to reduce the need for dredging, recent dry weather means sand has started to again build up at the Murray Mouth.

With flow volumes stabilising over recent months, continued assessments of sand accumulation at the Murray Mouth have determined the need to restart dredging.

Dredging is used to remove the build-up of sand at the Murray Mouth and two adjacent water channels, ensuring a clear passage of water flow between the Southern Ocean and River Murray system. Previously undertaken by two small dredgers, the restarted operations will now use one larger dredger currently located at Tauwitchere Barrage.

It is estimated that more than 14 million cubic metres of sand has been removed at the Murray Mouth since 2002.

SA Water procures the dredging services at the Murray Mouth on behalf of the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MBDA) under the Murray-Darling Basin Act (2008). The MDBA fully reimburses SA Water for all costs incurred under the Murray Mouth dredging services contract, undertaken by SA-based company Maritime Constructions.