the persistence and severity of the drought in the tay - darling basin has been described as " unexpected " after late winter redemptions to the river mouth rose to a 117 - year low . the " bleak ' ' optimism for next three months was adding to the grim news , the murray - darling basin authority said . irrigation water for australia ' s food bowl will be dependent quite entirely on rainfall as southern states hold back water for key human required . " the persistence and severity of this rain , developed over the past three summers , is unprecedented , ' ' area chief executive rob freeman announced as he delivers the basin ' s latest drought update .
The Murray-Darling Basin is in central Australia.