It was created to control and divert the flow of local river and creek systems for the purpose of food production.
Water supply is provided by Murray Irrigation Limited, a company formed by the New South Wales government in 1995.
[1] The system is regarded as a major engineering achievement comprising an elaborate series of weirs, canals and holding ponds (fed by upstream rivers and dams), including the large Lawson syphon where the Mulwala Canal flows under the Edward River.
[citation needed] Irrigated agriculture is the main industry of the towns within the area which include Finley, Deniliquin and Jerilderie.
The irrigation area has become increasingly controversial in the early 21st century, after consecutive years of drought and a growing Australian population have led to demands for greater levels of water conservation.