FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM
for the
LOGAN & ALBERT RIVERS

Looking upstream at Beenleigh on the Albert River

Contained in this document is information about: (Last updated November 2017) Flood Risk Previous Flooding Flood Forecasting Local Information Flood Warnings and Bulletins Interpreting Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins Flood Classifications Other Links

Flood Risk

The Logan River has a catchment area of about 3850 square kilometres and lies in the south east corner of Queensland. The catchment extends from the Logan City-Beenleigh area in the north to the McPherson Ranges in the south on the Queensland-NSW border. The major tributaries are the Albert River and Teviot Brook. Smaller tributaries include Running, Christmas, Burnett and Canungra Creeks in the headwaters. Major flooding is experienced in both rural and urban areas of the catchment although major flooding in the upper part of the catchment does not necessarily result in significant flooding in the lower catchment.

Scrubby and Slacks Creeks in the lower reaches of the Logan River can be subject to flash flooding as well as backwater flooding during major river flood events. 

Previous Flooding

Records of significant riverine flooding in the Logan-Albert Rivers extend back as far as 1887, and since then there have been several major flooding. The March 2017 riverine flooding was one of the most severe events in recent memory, with flood levels along the Logan River at Beaudesert, and Maclean Bridge the highest recorded since the 1974 flood. Along the Albert River a new record was set at Bromfleet in 2017, while Beenleigh experienced its highest flood since 1974. However, it is noted that observations were not available at Bromfleet in 1887 and observations at Beenleigh have been intermittent for previous floods. Severe floods have occurred in the upper reaches of the Logan River in February 1976, January 1974, and February 1991.

Flood Forecasting

The Bureau of Meteorology operates a flood warning system for the Logan and Albert River catchments 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 which are operated by the Department of Natural Resources & Mines. 

The Logan and Scenic Rim Councils as well as SEQ Water and the Bureau operate an ALERT radio telemetry network of Floodwarning stations throughout the Logan and Albert River (including Slacks and Scrubby Creek) catchments. These rainfall and river height stations regularly send data via radio telemetry to a base station located in Council and SEQ Water offices and the Bureau's Flood Warning Centre in Brisbane. The system provides early warning of heavy rainfalls and river rises throughout the catchment and enables more accurate and timely flood warning and forecasts. 

The Bureau's Flood Warning Centre issues Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins for the Logan and Albert Rivers during flood events. Quantitative flood forecasts are issued for Waterford when the level is likely to exceed 6.0 metres (minor flood level). 

Local Information

The Logan City Council and Scenic Rim Regional Council are able to provide further information on flooding in your area of the Logan and Albert River catchments.

Flood Warnings and Bulletins

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

Historical flood heights for all river stations in the Logan and Albert River catchments 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.

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 Logan and Albert River catchments.

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: