The Macquarie River, in central NSW, is one of the main inland rivers systems in the state. It forms near Bathurst by the joining of the Fish and Campbell Rivers before travelling some 960 km, generally northwest, through the towns of Bathurst, Wellington, Dubbo and Warren to the Macquarie Marshes. Following major flood events, water can flow past the Macquarie Marshes and into the Barwon-Darling river system upstream of Brewarrina.

The major tributaries in the Macquarie system are the Turon, Cudgegong, Bell, Little and Talbragar Rivers.  There are also a number of important effluent streams downstream of Warren including the Gunningbar, Duck, Crooked, Monkeygar, Marra, Bulgeragar and Gumcowl creeks.

The regulated section of the Macquarie system incorporates the Cudgegong River, from Windemere Dam, downstream to the junctions of where the Macquarie River and its effluent creeks meet with the Barwon River.

There are two major water storages in the Macquarie regulated system being Burrendong Dam and Windemere Dam.

  Click to enlarge - Macquarie Valley Schematic