The River Murray Commission was created by an agreement of the Commonwealth and the States of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. This agreement (the River Murray Waters Agreement of 1915) was reflected in State and Commonwealth legislation, the Commonwealth's being the River Murray Waters Act 1915 (No. 46 of 1915). The Commonwealth's enabling legislation was assented to on 15 November 1915 and proclaimed on 31 January 1917 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 1 of 1917, p.1).
 
Composition: The Commission has representatives of the Australian Environmental Resource Control/Commissions/Government and the Governments of the States of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
 
Function: The River Murray Commission was created for:

(a) The economical use of waters of the Murray River and its
    tributaries;
(b) Irrigation of arable land from the River;
(c) Control of the River;
(d) Works associated with the development of the River.

This Commission has planned development and implemented works on the Murray River since its inception.
 
The River Murray Commission was reconstituted under the name of the Murray -Darling basin Commission under the provision of the River Murray Waters Amendment Act 1987 ct 1987 (No 154 of 1987) on 1 January 1988.
Historical agency address
  1917-by1936: Commonwealth Offices Treasury Gardens, Melbourne 
by1936-by1950: Acton, ACT 
by1950-by1953: 271 Collins Street, Melbourne 
by1953-by1968: 17 Yarra Street, Hawthorn, Vic
by1968-by1981: T & G Building, Hobart Place, Canberra City 
by1981-  1988: Gas Industry House, Canberra City
Legislation administered
Creation: Commonwealth of Australia Act No. 46 of 1915, River Murray Waters Act 1915. Abolition: Commonwealth of Australia Act No 154 of 1987, River Murray Waters Amendment Act 1987.