Management frameworks that view freshwater systems as coupled social-ecological systems, are stakeholder driven and use ‘learning by doing’ adaptive management approaches are repeatedly being advocated for within IWRM. Adaptive Management, often described as a ‘learning by doing’ methodology is supposed to deal with the complexities within freshwater resource management, including environmental flow programs. Although proposed more than 20 years ago, logical and forward thinking, adaptive management has failed to become the dominant management strategy within freshwater resource management, suffering from the theory (academic) to application (management) dilemma. Strategic Adaptive Management (SAM) is based on adaptive management principles, but has an explicit focus on integrating social aspirations, management strategies and scientific experimentation into decision making, not specifically concentrating on scientific experimentation to form the basis of the process. This paper will present the design and application of a SAM framework within the flow programs in the Edward-Wakool river system, a semi-arid dryland anabranch system of the Murray River in Australia. Environmental flows have been delivered under the SAM framework for the previous 5 years to aid in meeting a stakeholder agreed upon vision of re-instating ‘ A self-sustaining native fish community within a vibrant rural community’. Included in the talk is the stakeholder engagement and conflict strategy, management implications from the TPC approach and monitoring, how scientific data is used in management planning, and the associated learning to inform and adapt management. The ability (or inability) for managers, scientists and community to collaborate to reach outcomes will also be discussed.