Commonwealth environmental water is helping frogs bounce back across the Murray-Darling Basin. Managing flow are keeping key wetlands wet for longer. This creates ideal conditions for frogs who need to call, breed and grow.
Since 2014, almost 2,000 GL of Commonwealth environmental water has been delivered.
In the lower Murrumbidgee, environmental water is being delivered to support:
- frogs
- waterbirds
- wetland plants.
This water has refilled dry wetlands and has triggered breeding. 1,244 tadpoles have been found in the Murrundi Swamp. This is according to a recent survey by the CEWH's science program, Flow-MER. Of these, 216 were southern bell frog tadpoles. A frog listed as Vulnerable.
Monitoring across sites has also shown releasing of water has helped bring back the southern bell frog. They have low survival during dry periods. Environmental water deliveries have been important in restoring their populations.
Monitoring in the Murrumbidgee since 2000 has shown southern bell frogs returning to wetlands. In recent years this has been to wetlands in the North Redbank and Western Lakes.
Dr Simon Banks, the Commonwealth's Environmental Water Holder, highlighted the significance of the work.
"The results of our monitoring demonstrate the benefit of Commonwealth environmental water in supporting recovery of nationally threatened species like the southern bell frog."
Even in wetter years, providing water to support frog breeding is critical in growing populations. It helps increase their resilience and survival over future dry periods.
On World Frog Day, 20 March 2026, we celebrated the frogs of the Basin and the smart water management that helps them thrive.
