The Crookwell and Abercrombie Rivers are the main tributaries upstream of Wyangala Dam, situated about 16 km southeast of Cowra. Downstream of the dam, the Boorowa and Belubula Rivers and Koorawatha and Mandagery Creeks comprise the main tributaries above Jemalong Gap. Carcoar Dam is situated on the upper reaches of the Belubula River. Between Jemalong Gap and Condobolin the Lachlan River floodplain is relatively wide and flat, interspersed with short ridges, gibbers and sandhills. To the north the floodplain extends to Goobang Creek, linked by Bumbuggan Creek. To the south the Jemalong Irrigation District comprises the upstream, eastern part of the floodplain, which extends to Lake Cowal.

The vision for the management of the Jemalong to Condobolin floodplain is as follows: To manage the floodplain of the Lachlan River between Jemalong Gap and Condobolin township, in an equitable and sustainable manner through careful use of parts of the floodplain for agricultural activities whilst allowing for the floodplain’s natural flood distribution and storage functions and enhancing its environmental values. The objectives linked to the above vision statement are:

• to achieve a coordinated balanced approach to floodplain management taking into account hydraulic, environmental and economic considerations, and legislative requirements
• to ensure the sustainable and equitable use of floodplain resources
• to ensure that the current accepted flow distribution to the north and south are retained.