The Murray River has been named Australia's worst river for drownings in Royal Life Saving Australia's 10-year review.

The review showed people are drowning in rivers across the country, with 43 people having drowned in the Murray River between 2002 and 2012.

Alcohol was found to be a major factor in drownings, with drinking playing a role in more than one-third of all river drownings, and almost half of those involving middle-aged people.

Thirteen per cent of all drowning victims recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.2 or greater - four times the legal driving limit.

Most victims were men and most people drowned while close to home, not on holiday.

Top 10 river drowning black spots 1. Murray River 2. Brisbane River (QLD) 3. Yarra River (VIC) 4. Swan River (WA) 5. Hawkesbury River (NSW) 6. Murrumbidgee River (NSW) 7. Sandy Creek (QLD) 8. Derwent River (TAS) 9. Katherine River (NT) 10. Macquarie River (NSW)

Queensland's Brisbane River was the second most dangerous river, with the Yarra in third place.

Royal Life Saving chief executive Justin Scarr said rivers could lull people into a false sense of security.

"Time and again we see people taking unnecessary risks that often have tragic outcomes, especially where alcohol is involved," he said.

In total, 735 people drowned in Australian rivers in the 10-year period.

"It's high time that people treated rivers with the same respect they have learned to show when recreating at the beach," Mr Scarr said.

It comes as an earlier report in February identified the dangers of Australia's rivers following a spate of drownings over summer.

The recent federal budget included $15 million over five years to Surf Life Saving and water safety organisations for water safety campaigns and drowning prevention programs.