FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM
for the
BURNETT RIVER

Burnett River at Mundubbera

Contained in this document is information about: (Last updated June 2008) Flood Risk Previous Flooding Flood Forecasting Local Information Flood Warnings and Bulletins Interpreting Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins Flood Classifications Catchment Map

Flood Risk

The Burnett River is located on the southern Queensland coast with the mouth of the river sited just north of the City of Bundaberg.  The total area of the catchment is about 33,000 square kilometres.

The Burnett River rises in the Dawes Range, just north of Monto and flows south through Eidsvold and Mundubbera.  Along the way it is joined by the Nogo and Auburn Rivers which drain large areas in the west of the catchment.  Just before Mundubbera, the main river is joined by the Boyne River draining areas from the south and then begins its northeasterly journey to the coast.  Between Gayndah and Mt Lawless, the Barker-Barambah Creeks system joins the Burnett River.

Major flooding in the Burnett River is relatively infrequent.  However, under favourable meteorological conditions such as a tropical low pressure system, heavy rainfalls can occur throughout the catchment which can result in significant river rises and floods. These floods can cause considerable damage to rural properties along the rivers and to the commercial and residential areas in some of the smaller towns in the area and at Bundaberg. 

Previous Flooding

The record of significant floods in the Burnett River extends back to the middle of last century. The flood record at Mundubbera commences with the 1942 flood when the river peaked at 23.62 metres.  Since then, floods have been well below this level. At Gayndah, records extend back to 1864 with over 15 events exceeding the 10 metre level.

Major floods have been recorded at Bundaberg in 1875, 1890, 1893 (twice in 2 weeks), 1928, 1942 and 1954.  The most recent significant event was in February 1971 when the river rose to 6.70 metres at Bundaberg, about 4.5 metres above  Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT).  HAT at Bundaberg is 2.19m on the flood gauge in Targo Street.

Flood Forecasting

The Bureau of Meteorology operates a flood warning system for the Burnett River catchment based on a rainfall and river height observations network shown on the map. The network consists of a number of volunteer rainfall and river height observers who forward observations by telephone when the initial flood height has been exceeded at their station, as well as a automatic telephone telemetry stations, which are operated by both the Bureau of Meteorology and the Department of Natural Resources and Water. 

The Bureau's Flood Warning Centre issues Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins for the Burnett River during flood events. River height predictions are issued when moderate flood levels are likely to be exceeded at a number of key locations. Predictions are also made for Bundaberg when the river level is expected to exceed 6.0 metres on the flood gauge. The objective is to provide between 12 and 24 hours advanced warning of flood heights in Bundaberg.

Local Information

The Local Government is able to provide further information on flooding in your area of the Burnett River catchment.

Flood Warnings and Bulletins

The Bureau of Meteorology issues Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins for the Burnett River catchment regularly during floods. They are sent to radio stations for broadcast, and to local Councils, emergency services and a large number of other agencies involved in managing flood response activities. 

Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins are available via :

Local response organisations

Internet/World Wide Web

Telephone Weather

Interpreting Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins

Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins contain observed river heights for a selection of the river height monitoring locations. The time at which the river reading has been taken is given together with its tendency (e.g. rising, falling, steady or at its peak). The Flood Warnings may also contain predictions in the form of minor, moderate or major flooding for a period in the future. River Height Bulletins also give the height above or below the road bridge or causeway for each river station located near a road crossing. 

One of the simplest ways of understanding what the actual or predicted river height means is to compare the height given in the Warning or Bulletin with the height of previous floods at that location. 

The table below summarises the flood history of the Burnett River catchment - it contains the flood gauge heights of the more significant recent floods.   

All heights are in metres on flood gauges.

Historical flood heights for all river stations in the Burnett River catchment Floodwarning network, as shown on the map, are available from the Bureau of Meteorology upon request.

Flood Classifications

At each flood warning river height station, the severity of flooding is described as minor, moderate or major according to the effects caused in the local area or in nearby downstream areas. Terms used in Flood Warnings are based on the following definitions.

Major Flooding : This causes inundation of large areas, isolating towns and cities. Major disruptions occur to road and rail links. Evacuation of many houses and business premises may be required. In rural areas widespread flooding of farmland is likely. Moderate Flooding : This causes the inundation of low lying areas requiring the removal of stock and/or the evacuation of some houses. Main traffic bridges may be closed by floodwaters.  Minor Flooding : This causes inconvenience such as closing of minor roads and the submergence of low level bridges and makes the removal of pumps located adjacent to the river necessary.

Each river height station has a pre-determined flood classification which details heights on gauges at which minor, moderate and major flooding commences. Other flood heights may also be defined which indicate at what height the local road crossing or town becomes affected by floodwaters. 

The table below shows the flood classifications for selected river height stations in the Burnett River catchment.

All heights are in metres on flood gauges.  (B) = Bridge  (O) = Old Bridge   (d/s) =  Down Stream

The above details are correct at the time of preparing this document. Up-to-date flood classifications and other details for all flood warning stations in the network are at:

http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld/networks/index.shtml

Catchment Map showing the Burnett River catchment flood warning network

For further information, contact:
The Regional Director, Bureau of Meteorology, GPO Box 413, Brisbane Q 4001