The journey of the Upper Murrumbidgee River begins in the Kosciuszko National Park, nestled in the Snowy Mountains. This pristine area boasts rugged terrain, snow-fed springs, and clear streams that reflect the alpine flora and snow-capped peaks. The river’s icy waters flow through dense forests, offering a picturesque snapshot of untouched wilderness, where the clarity of the water mirrors the purity of its high-altitude source.

However, this fragile ecosystem faces significant threats from feral animals that disrupt the river's health. Brumbies, a contentious species in the region, trample riverbanks, causing severe erosion and harming native vegetation essential for ecological balance. Feral pigs further degrade the area by rooting and wallowing, leading to sedimentation and water pollution that promotes harmful algal blooms. Similarly, deer species graze on native plants, reducing biodiversity and exacerbating soil erosion, all of which jeopardize the delicate equilibrium of the river's environment.

As the Upper Murrumbidgee River descends from the Snowy Mountains, it flows through sub-alpine plains and forests, creating diverse habitats rich in biodiversity. Spongy meadows adorned with flowers and forests of snow-gums are alive with the calls of native birds like the Superb Lyrebird and the rustle of wildlife such as wombats and kangaroos. The river gains momentum, forming small rapids and waterfalls that add a musical rhythm to the surrounding natural beauty.

Unfortunately, the region's unique alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems face threats that endanger several species adapted to these harsh conditions. The Stocky Galaxis fish, barely surviving in alpine creeks, the Reiks Crayfish, exclusive to high-altitude wetlands, and the Giant Dragonfly, reliant on fragile peat swamps, are among the threatened species requiring conservation efforts. These species are highly vulnerable to habitat changes driven by human activities and environmental pressures, highlighting the need for targeted protection of these delicate ecosystems.

Tantangara Dam, constructed between 1958 and 1960 as part of the Snowy Scheme, was designed to divert water from the Snowy River catchment for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. This dam significantly alters the natural flow of the Upper Murrumbidgee River, capturing and storing water to regulate downstream flow based on seasonal demands. In some years, up to 99% of the river’s flow is diverted to Lake Eucumbene, leading to a drastic reduction in aquatic habitats and disruption of the river's ecological balance.

Efforts to mitigate these impacts include environmental flow releases aimed at restoring a more natural flow regime, but these are limited by volume, timing, and duration. Stakeholder collaboration remains complex, involving government agencies, local councils, and community groups. The Forgotten River campaign advocates for the river’s ecological health to be prioritized in water management decisions. Upgrading the outdated infrastructure of Tantangara Dam to allow for increased water releases could be a critical step, albeit costly, toward restoring the health of the Upper Murrumbidgee River.

With less than 5% of the Upper Murrumbidgee’s natural flow continuing downstream from Tantangara Dam, the river winds through the stunning Cooma, Bredbo, Colinton, and Red Rock Gorges. These gorges are not only visually striking but also critical to the river’s ecological health. They provide habitats for diverse wildlife and support essential riverine processes, such as flow regulation and sediment transport. Their secluded beauty attracts nature enthusiasts, offering picturesque landscapes and a tranquil escape.

Efforts to restore the river’s health in these gorges focus on managing invasive species and revitalizing native vegetation. Key initiatives include removing willows, box elder, and blackberries, which disrupt natural ecosystems and fish habitats. Volunteers play a crucial role in these conservation efforts, engaging in weed control, habitat mapping, and bush regeneration. Using watercraft to access remote sections of the river, they enable rehabilitation in hard-to-reach areas, helping the gorges to provide protection for wildlife and wonderful places for people to explore.

Between its gorges, the Upper Murrumbidgee River flows into broad valleys, with pastoral lands and farming communities. Here, the river slows and widens, supporting irrigation for crops and livestock. Farm dams dot the landscape, altering the river’s flow but connecting the livelihoods of local communities to the waterway. Sadly, these valleys are among the most degraded sections of the river, with sand slugs, invasive weeds, and loss of riparian habitats.

Efforts to restore the river focus on improving connectivity and habitat health, particularly for species like the endangered Macquarie perch. Strategies include removing invasive weeds, stabilizing riverbanks, and replanting native vegetation to create a continuous river corridor. Restoration projects integrate community engagement through events, field days, and educational initiatives, sharing knowledge on native fish conservation and demonstrating practical land restoration techniques. These collaborative efforts aim to ensure a healthier river system and sustainable habitats for future generations.

As the Upper Murrumbidgee River approaches Canberra, it transitions into an urban setting, providing a scenic natural boundary to the city. The river is central to Canberra's green spaces, with popular recreational spots like Casuarina Sands, Uriarra Crossing, and Pine Island offering opportunities for swimming, picnicking, and birdwatching. These areas are habitats for species such as the Azure Kingfisher and other waterbirds, blending urban life with ecological richness.

Conservation efforts in the ACT focus on habitat restoration and species recovery, particularly for the Murray cod. Activities include managing riparian zones, controlling invasive species, and improving water quality. Urban expansion, such as the proposed Western Edge development, threatens the river’s health through increased runoff, pollution, and habitat fragmentation. Sustainable urban planning, including buffer zones and green infrastructure, is crucial to preserving the river’s ecosystems and ensuring its role as a natural and recreational asset for the city.

As the Upper Murrumbidgee River flows beyond Canberra, it transitions into rolling hills and pastoral lands near Yass, where sheep and cattle grazing dominate the landscape. The river here is broader and slower, and in protected areas, eucalyptus, tea-tree, sedges, and reeds create vital habitats for birds and aquatic life. This rural stretch marks a shift away from urban influences, reflecting the natural beauty of the countryside.

However, this region faces challenges from agricultural practices and land use changes, leading to issues such as water quality degradation and habitat loss. Monitoring data over many years highlights increased turbidity and nutrient concentrations, impacting aquatic ecosystems. Collaborative restoration efforts with landowners include revegetation of riparian zones, fencing riverbanks to protect against livestock damage, and providing alternative water sources to reduce erosion and contamination. These initiatives aim to enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and build resilience in the river’s ecosystems.

As the Upper Murrumbidgee River approaches Burrinjuck Dam, it encounters one of its most significant interventions. Built in the early 20th century, this dam plays a vital role in irrigation and flood control, while its reservoir supports fish species like Murray cod. However, like many dams, Burrinjuck disrupts the natural flow of the river, impacting downstream ecosystems and sediment transport. These changes affect the river's health and the life cycles of native species dependent on free-flowing water.

The dam's presence significantly alters riverine biodiversity by impeding the movement of aquatic species and trapping nutrient-rich sediments, which reduces fertility in downstream ecosystems and threatens biodiversity. Habitat conditions for wildlife and plant species are also impacted, as altered flows and sediment trapping shift ecological balances. To mitigate these effects, Burrinjuck Dam releases carefully managed environmental flows, designed to support aquatic life and maintain ecological processes, balancing the needs of water users and river health.

The Upper Murrumbidgee River at Burrinjuck Dam transitions into the Murrumbidgee River, which flows over 1,300 kilometers to join the Murray River in Victoria. This river is a vital part of the Murray-Darling Basin, supporting irrigation and diverse agricultural activities across the Riverina region. It plays a critical role in water supply and sustains both human communities and natural ecosystems.

River regulation and water extraction, exacerbated by climate change, have dramatically altered natural flows, leading to reduced water volumes and ecological degradation, particularly in wetlands like the Lowbidgee Floodplain. Climate change further intensifies these impacts by decreasing precipitation and increasing evaporation, affecting wetland biodiversity and agricultural productivity. Addressing these concerns requires improved water management, legislative integration, and sustainable conservation practices to protect the river and its ecosystems.