The dataset shows MDB Water Quality Regions / Zones as at March 2010. The dataset has been derived from the SRA Valley Zones as created by Sustainable Rivers Audit (SRA) program in Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) which is a comprehensive assessment of river health taken in the Murray Darling Basin. This dataset was constructed in GDA94 coordinate system, using the Australian Water Resources Council (AWRC) catchment layer and were then subdivided into altitude zones. These altitude zones correspond to one of seven categories: Montane, Upland, Slopes, Lowland, Upper, Middle, Lower and Mt Lofty. The water quality regions have been defined using similar geomorphologic and geophysical landscape characteristics. The amalgamations of altitude zones were determined, using similar water quality parameter values. The water quality regions as defined by this dataset have been used in the guide to the Basin Plan.

The Basin Plan's management arrangements will be implemented at a local scale through water resource plans prepared by the Basin states for accreditation by the Commonwealth Water Minister. The Basin has been divided into 19 surface-water water resource plan areas. The boundaries of these areas are shown in the Surface Water Water Resource Plan Areas dataset. The surface-water water resource plan areas cover the entire Basin, including those areas not previously subject to water planning arrangements. The water resources in the Murray-Darling Basin to which the Basin Plan will apply are identified in the Water Act 2007 (Cwlth). These resources do not include the Great Artesian Basin water resources.