Scientists have called for urgent investment in research and the reinstatement of the national water commission to ensure the health of the Murray Darling Basin.
Some of the country's leading water experts from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering have developed a 50-year vision for Australia's most expansive and productive river system.
The nine peer-reviewed essays are believed to be one of the most comprehensive examinations of the basin to date.
"To safeguard and protect this resource for the future, Australia must take urgent action in the face of increasing climate change," Academy President Katherine Woodthorpe said.
The scientists have called for a raft of measures like ensuring economic development and agriculture in regional Australia is aligned with future water availability.
"How agriculture can evolve, how we can do more potentially with less and we do need to make sure that we improve efficiency," said Professor Stuart Khan from the University of Sydney, who co-authored one of the essays.
"In the longer term, there might be less water available. We know that droughts may become more extreme and more intense."
That means farmers who rely on the basin for irrigation must adjust, according to John Radcliffe, who co-edited the project.
"We expect higher temperatures, do we need to have genetic improvement and change some of the crops that we're growing?" Dr Radcliffe asked.
The CSIRO honorary fellow said this could include growing more heat-tolerant crops like apples.
"We need research funding, we need innovation to be brought in ... some major changes will have to occur as people make decisions to redirect their production enterprise," he said.
The academy has also called for a major overhaul of how water is managed in Australia, including the reinstatement of the national water commission.
The national body which was responsible for water reform was disbanded under the coalition government in 2015.
But the academy wants it reinstated and has included that in their submission to the federal government's water review.
The scientists also want a review of water-sharing rules and the carbon sequestration capabilities of freshwater wetlands.
And they would like for all water recovery programs to be scrutinised against a 50-year backdrop.
The essays compiled over the past 12 months have been provided to federal government ministers for consideration.
Australian Associated Press
