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How did irrigation help turn arid land into productive farmland in Australia’s Snowy Mountains Scheme?

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A green cotton combine harvests a field of mature cotton plants, with white cotton bolls visible across the landscape. — Agricultural technology Cotton combine harvesting a cotton field.

The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme transformed the productivity of inland regions by diverting water that would otherwise flow to the coast into the Murray and Murrumbidgee river systems.1

Constructed between 1949 and 1974, the project utilizes a complex network of 16 dams, reservoirs, and tunnels to capture and redirect water. By diverting these flows inland, the scheme significantly increased the volume of water available for irrigation across the Murray-Darling Basin. This reliable water supply allowed for the development of extensive agricultural lands, supporting crops and pastures in what is now Australia’s most significant agricultural region.12

While this irrigation infrastructure enabled intensive farming, it also introduced significant environmental challenges, most notably increased salinity levels in the soil and river systems. Addressing these impacts remains a critical component of modern sustainable development efforts in the basin.2