FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM
for the
MOONIE RIVER

Moonie River at Flinton

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 Moonie River basin is located in southwest Queensland and drains an area of approximately 14,050 square kilometres at Fenton.  The largest tributary is Teelba Creek and flows into the Moonie River between Flinton and Mt Driven.  This tributary, along with local streams running into the Moonie River upstream of Flinton, can contribute to major flooding following local heavy rainfall.  Major flooding downstream can cause many thousands of hectares of low lying areas to be inundated, properties to be isolated and highways to be cut. 

Previous Flooding

Flood records for Nindigully and Thallon date back to 1970 and 1950 respectively.  The highest flood on record occurred in February 1976 when the river rose to a height of 4.15 metres at Nindigully and to 5.43 metres at Thallon. The figures below shows the significant flood peaks which have occurred at Nindigully and Thallon since records began.

Flood Forecasting

The Bureau of Meteorology operates a flood warning system for the Moonie River basin 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 automatic telephone telemetry stations at Nindigully and Fenton, which are operated by the Department of Natural Resources and Water.

The Bureau's Flood Warning Center issues Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins for the Moonie River during flood events. Qualitative flood forecasts are issued whenever widespread minor flood levels are likely to be exceeded. 

Local Information

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

Flood Warnings and Bulletins

The Bureau of Meteorology issues Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins for the Moonie River 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 Moonie River basin - it contains the flood gauge heights of the more significant recent floods.

Historical flood heights for all river stations in the Moonie River 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 Moonie River catchment.

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:

Catchment Map showing the Moonie River flood warning network

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