River flow in unregulated rivers (i.e. rivers with no major dams) is often protected by environmental flow rules which prevent water take at specific flow levels. These are called cease-to-pump rules and are a key management strategy in NSW water sharing plans. These rules aim to protect low flows and to maintain critical flows for the benefit of basic landholder right water users and the environment.

Our study highlights the importance of cease to pump rules to protect natural flow regimes in unregulated rivers of the Murrumbidgee Water Sharing Plan area. Most rivers in this study benefited from the cease to pump rules and provided a greater number of days with flow. Without these rules in place these rivers would be placed under increased drying and ecological stress from cease to flow conditions.