FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM
for the
FITZROY RIVER

March 1988 - Fitzroy River in flood at Rockhampton  Photo: Ace Studio

Contained in this document is information about: (Last updated June 2011) 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

Due to its immense size and fan-like shape, the Fitzroy River catchment is capable of producing severe flooding following heavy rainfall events. Its major tributaries, the Dawson, Mackenzie and Connors Rivers rise in the eastern coastal ranges and in the Great Dividing Range and join together about 100 kilometres west of Rockhampton. Major floods can result from either the Dawson or the Connors-Mackenzie Rivers. Significant flooding in the Rockhampton area can also occur from heavy rain in the local area below Riverslea.

Previous Flooding

The Fitzroy River at Rockhampton has a long and well documented history of flooding with flood records dating back to 1859. The highest recorded flood occurred in January 1918 and reached 10.11 metres on the Rockhampton gauge. The most recent major flood for the Fitzroy River spanned over the end of December 2010 and early January 2011. The Fitzroy River reached 9.20 metres on the Rockhampton gauge. This period also provided the towns of Emerald, Rolleston and Theodore with their largest floods on record. The figure below shows the significant flood peaks which have occurred at Rockhampton during the last 150 years.

Flood Forecasting

The Bureau of Meteorology operates a flood warning system for the Fitzroy River and its tributaries based on a rainfall and river height observations network shown on the map. In consultation with the Rockhampton City Council, the Bureau issues predictions of flood heights for the Fitzroy River at Rockhampton whenever it is expected to exceed 7 metres on the city gauge. The objective is to provide at least 60 hours warning of flood heights above 7 metres. These forecasts are updated at least once each day. When possible, river height predictions are also given for Taroom, Theodore, Moura, and Baralaba on the Dawson River and for Tartrus on the Mackenzie River.

The Bureau's Flood Warning Centre issues Flood Warnings, which include the river height predictions, and River Height Bulletins for the Fitzroy River catchment regularly during flood events. 

Local Information

Depending on your location in the Fitzroy River catchment, further flood information can be found through any of the following councils: the Isaac Regional Council, Central Highlands Regional Council, Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council, Banana Shire Council, Dalby Regional Council, Roma Regional Council and Rockhampton Regional Council.

In addition, the Rockhampton Regional Council provides a local information service on flooding in the Rockhampton area. It has data and information on past flooding from which estimates of areas and depths of expected inundation are given. This enables flood threatened residents to take appropriate action before the floodwaters reach their property.

Flood Warnings and Bulletins

The Bureau of Meteorology issues Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins for the Fitzroy 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 :

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 Fitzroy River catchment - it contains the flood gauge heights for the more significant recent floods. 

Flood Classifications

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 Fitzroy River catchment. 

Catchment Maps showing the Dawson, Comet-Nogoa, Connors-Isaac and Ftizroy flood warning networks

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