River Murray Water Quality Monitoring Program

Brief description

Phytoplankton and physico-chemical monitoring along the River Murray were established in 1978 under the River Murray Water Quality Monitoring Program (RMWQMP).

The phytoplankton component began with sites spread across NSW, Victoria, and SA from the NSW upper Murray to the SA Lower Lakes. With the number of sites reconciled in 1980, phytoplankton monitoring has continued at 12 sites, with 10 sites along the River Murray and 2 sites near the confluence of the main tributaries, being the Darling and Murrumbidgee rivers.

Biological parameters monitored comprise phytoplankton, phycocyanin and chlorophyll-a. For further details refer to accompanying PDF the [phytoplankton metadata statement](https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/river-murray-water-quality-monitoring-program/resource/0e0a5050-8b2f-4ce3-ab16-8b749c0a38bf).

The physico-chemical component began with 32 sites along the Murray River and various tributaries, increasing to 35 sites in 1980 then reducing to 28 sites (along with some frequency changes) in 2012.

Physico-chemical parameters monitored vary but include temperate, EC, pH, turbidity, colour, TKN, NOx, Total P, FRP, silica, DOC, bicarbonate, sulfate, and metals. The range of parameters and frequency of monitoring undertaken at a site is determined by the site class as described in Physico-chemical meta data statement. For further details refer to accompanying PDF the [physico-chemical metadata statement](https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/river-murray-water-quality-monitoring-program/resource/15d21ea2-9dc2-4136-8600-808608151886).

Full description

Metadata Statement - RMWQMP Phytoplankton -
Metadata Statement - RMWQMP Physico-chemical - Last updated 21/July/2026
Dataset - RMWQMP Physico-chemical - Phytoplankton and physico-chemical monitoring along the River Murray were established in 1978 under the River Murray Water Quality Monitoring Program (RMWQMP).\r\n\r\nThe phytoplankton component began with sites spread across NSW, Victoria, and SA from the NSW upper Murray to the SA Lower Lakes. With the number of sites reconciled in 1980, phytoplankton monitoring has continued at 12 sites, with 10 sites along the River Murray and 2 sites near the confluence of the main tributaries, being the Darling and Murrumbidgee rivers. \r\n\r\nBiological parameters monitored comprise phytoplankton, phycocyanin and chlorophyll-a. For further details refer to accompanying PDF the phytoplankton metadata statement.\r\n\r\nThe physico-chemical component began with 32 sites along the Murray River and various tributaries, increasing to 35 sites in 1980 then reducing to 28 sites (along with some frequency changes) in 2012.\r\n\r\nPhysico-chemical parameters monitored vary but include temperate, EC, pH, turbidity, colour, TKN, NOx, Total P, FRP, silica, DOC, bicarbonate, sulfate, and metals. The range of parameters and frequency of monitoring undertaken at a site is determined by the site class as described in Physico-chemical meta data statement. \r\nFile size 99.8 MB, as of 14 September 2026
Disclaimer Statement - RMWQMP -
Dataset - RMWQMP Phytoplankton - Phytoplankton and physico-chemical monitoring along the River Murray were established in 1978 under the River Murray Water Quality Monitoring Program (RMWQMP).\r\n\r\nThe phytoplankton component began with sites spread across NSW, Victoria, and SA from the NSW upper Murray to the SA Lower Lakes. With the number of sites reconciled in 1980, phytoplankton monitoring has continued at 12 sites, with 10 sites along the River Murray and 2 sites near the confluence of the main tributaries, being the Darling and Murrumbidgee rivers. \r\n\r\nBiological parameters monitored comprise phytoplankton, phycocyanin and chlorophyll-a. For further details refer to accompanying PDF the phytoplankton metadata statement.\r\n\r\nThe physico-chemical component began with 32 sites along the Murray River and various tributaries, increasing to 35 sites in 1980 then reducing to 28 sites (along with some frequency changes) in 2012.\r\n\r\nPhysico-chemical parameters monitored vary but include temperate, EC, pH, turbidity, colour, TKN, NOx, Total P, FRP, silica, DOC, bicarbonate, sulfate, and metals. The range of parameters and frequency of monitoring undertaken at a site is determined by the site class as described in Physico-chemical meta data statement. For further details refer to accompanying PDF the physico-chemical metadata statement.\r\nfile size: 68.0 MB \r\nlast updated: 14/September/2026