FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM
for the
BALONNE AND MARANOA RIVERS

Surat during the January 1996 flood Source: Wimera Pty Ltd

Contained in this document is information about: (Last updated August 2014) The Flood Risk Previous Flooding Flood Forecasting Local Information Flood Warnings and Bulletins Interpreting Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins Flood Classifications Other Links

The Flood Risk

The Condamine-Balonne River system is one of the major tributaries of the Murray-Darling River system and is one of the most important river systems in Queensland in terms of agriculture. The headwaters of the Condamine-Balonne River rise in the Border Ranges upstream of Killarney and flow for approximately 1200 kilometres through Queensland before entering New South Wales. 

Major floods do not necessarily develop in the headwater areas of the catchment but can result from heavy rainfall in any of the large tributaries which enter the main Balonne River. In 1990, the Maranoa River experienced a major flood which extended to the NSW border.  However, there was no significant flooding in the main Balonne system. Under these circumstances flood forecast lead times may be short.

The most significant effects of flooding along the Balonne River are the widespread inundation of agricultural land, the isolation of rural homes and properties and the loss and damages suffered in these areas.  Damage to fencing, pumping equipment, machinery and loss of stock through drowning result in significant losses during major floods. 

Previous Flooding

Records of large floods along the Balonne River extend back as far as 1890 at St. George with extensive records at several other locations on the main stream.  Major floods occur regularly, on average every 2 years. Major flood events were recorded in 1942, 1950, 1956, 1975, 1976, 1983 (twice), 1988 and 1996. The record major floods in March 2010 and January 2011 produced widespread inundation and traffic disruption. Whilst the January/February flood event of 2012 may not have been as significant at St George it recorded record flood levels at Roma and Mitchell, which inundated large residential areas. Major floods generally only occur in the first half of the year although records indicate that they may also occur in late spring.

Flood Forecasting

The Bureau of Meteorology operates a flood warning system for the Condamine - Balonne River catchment downstream of Cotswold based on a rainfall and river height observations network shown on the map. The flood warning network consists of a number of volunteer rainfall and river height observers, as well as automatic telephone telemetry station's located throughout the catchment, which are operated by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines.

The Bureau's Flood Warning Centre issues Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins for the Condamine - Balonne River catchment downstream of Cotswold during flood events. Quantitative forecasts are issued whenever river heights are expected to reach minor flood levels at Warkon, Surat, Warroo, St George, Dirranbandi and Hebel on the main river, Mitchell, Springfield and Woodlands on the Mitchell River and Roma on Bungil Creek. 

Local Information

Local Council's throughout the Condamine - Balonne River catchment downstream of Cotswold are able to provide further details of flooding in your area. 

Flood Warnings and Bulletins

The Bureau of Meteorology issues Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins for the Condamine - Balonne River downstream of Cotswold 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:

Radio 
Radio stations, particularly the local ABC, and local commercial stations, broadcast Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins soon after issue. 

Local response organisations
These include the Councils, Police, and State Emergency Services in the local area. 

Internet/World Wide Web
Flood Warnings, River Height Bulletins and other weather related data is available on the Bureau's Web page at http://www.bom.gov.au . The Queensland Flood Warning Centre website is http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood .

Telephone Weather
Flood Warnings are available through a recorded voice retrieval system, along with a wide range of other weather related and climate information.

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 Condamine - Balonne River catchment downstream of Cotswold - it contains the flood gauge heights of the more significant recent floods.

Historical flood heights for all river stations in the Condamine - Balonne River catchment downstream of Cotswold 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.

>Minor Flooding : Causes inconvenience. Low-lying areas next to watercourses are inundated. Minor roads may be closed and low-level bridges submerged. In urban areas inundation may affect some backyards and buildings below the floor level as well as bicycle and pedestrian paths. In rural areas removal of stock and equipment may be required. Moderate Flooding : In addition to the above, the area of inundation is more substantial. Main traffic routes may be affected. Some buildings may be affected above the floor level. Evacuation of flood affected areas may be required. In rural areas removal of stock is required. Major Flooding : In addition to the above, extensive rural areas and/or urban areas are inundated. Many buildings may be affected above the floor level. Properties and towns are likely to be isolated and major rail and traffic routes closed. Evacuation of flood affected areas may be required. Utility services may be impacted.

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 Condamine - Balonne River catchment downstream of Cotswold. 

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: