Georgina/Eyre Creek

This brochure describes the flood risk and previous flooding in the Georgina River/Eyre Creek catchment, last updated in July 2025.

Flood Risk

The Georgina River and Eyre Creek system drains an area of approximately 210,000 square kilometres. It rises to the northwest of Mount Isa with three main tributaries, the Buckle, Sander and Ranken Rivers. The latter two have their headwaters in the Northern Territory. Further inflow enters the system from numerous creeks and rivers, the two main tributaries being the Burke and Hamilton Rivers. The Burke River drains the area to the north of Boulia and enters the Georgina River about 20 kilometres upstream of Marion Downs, whilst the Hamilton rises to the northeast of Boulia and enters the main Georgina downstream of Marion Downs. Towns located within the catchment include Urandangi, Dajarra, Boulia and Bedourie.

Very little rainfall is needed to bring the region to a standstill. Following flooding rains, the main channel fills fairly quickly and then spreads out into the neighboring channels and floodplain for kilometres on either side. In the event of severe flooding, the Georgina River can vary in width in the upper reaches from 15 to 20 kilometers, and in the lower reaches it is estimated in some sections to be 25 to 30 kilometers wide.

The main impact of flooding is the isolation of towns and properties and the extensive inundation of grazing lands which can last several months in some areas. Road transport disruption for long periods is common during large scale flooding.

Major flooding requires a large-scale rainfall event over the Georgina River and Eyre Creek catchment. The following can be used as a rough guide to the likelihood of flooding in the catchment:

75mm in 24 hours over isolated areas, with lesser rains of 50mm over more extensive areas will cause stream rises and the possibility of minor flooding. If lesser rainfalls have been recorded in the previous 24 to 72 hrs, then moderate to major flooding may develop.

100mm in 24 hours will cause isolated flooding in the immediate area of the heavy rain.

General 100mm or heavier falls in 24 hours over a wide area will most likely cause major flooding in the middle to lower reaches of the Georgina, Burke and Hamilton Rivers extending into Eyre Creek, downstream of Marion Downs.

Previous Flooding

Flooding in the Georgina River is generally associated with widespread rainfall events over northern and central Queensland and the Northern Territory. The highest recorded flood peaks occurred in late January and early February of 1974. The more recent 2023 and 2025 floods resulted in evacuations and long isolation periods due to the flooding of transport routes. The following figures show the significant flood peaks at Marion Downs and Glengyle since records began.

The table below summarises the flood history of the Georgina River and Eyre Creek basin - it contains the flood gauge heights of the more significant recent floods.

Flood Event	Camooweal	Urandangi	Roxborough Downs	Glenormiston	Boulia	Marion Downs	Bedourie	Cluny	Glengyle
Mar 1950	-	7.45*	9.80	8.89	5.96	7.42	-	6.40	6.45
Mar 1971	-	7.32	9.93	8.78	5.35	6.91	-	5.70	5.74
Jan/Feb 1974	-	3.75	-	4.95	4.40	6.20	-	5.50	5.15
Feb 1976	-	7.30	-	8.15	5.70	6.65	-	5.90	5.65
Feb/Mar 1977	-	6.00	-	7.00	5.40	6.21	-	5.40	5.13
Feb 1991	2.40	4.70	8.72	6.70	3.15	5.95	5.40	4.60	4.40
Jan 1999	6.50	6.85	9.22	7.50	5.26	6.15	5.38	5.50	5.25
Feb/Mar 2000	-	5.70	8.63	6.50	-	5.80	5.68	5.25	4.85
Mar/Apr 2023	-	6.50	9.60	8.20	4.51	6.75	5.35	5.40	5.15
**Mar/Apr 2025	-	-	7.71	5.40	4.94	5.45	4.73	4.67	4.20

 

All heights are in metres on flood gauges.

*Preliminary values subject to verification