17/06/2026
Hard to imagine really, what a cool picture of history though.
Koondrook in the Bed of the Murray River – Drought of 1915
This incredible photo shows people standing where the mighty Murray River should have been at Koondrook during the devastating 1915 drought. A sight that's hard to imagine today, with families and even motorcars gathered on the exposed riverbed.
It raises an interesting question... where did all the Murray cod go?
Murray cod are survivors. During extreme droughts, many would have retreated to the deepest remaining waterholes, anabranches, and refuge pools. Some populations would have been trapped in isolated pockets, while others likely perished as water quality declined and habitats disappeared. These harsh periods shaped the resilience of the Murray cod we know today, but they also remind us how vulnerable our river systems can be.
Have a look at this photo and imagine standing in the middle of the Murray River where there was barely a drop of water. What do you think the fishing would have been like when the rains finally returned?
📸 Koondrook, Murray River Drought, 1915
