KNOWN FLOODS IN THE BRISBANE & BREMER RIVER BASIN

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF BRISBANE AND IPSWICH  
Given in the following pages are details of known floods in the Brisbane River Basin, including the cities of Brisbane and Ipswich and the surrounding districts, extracted from:
  • 'The Romance of the Bremer', Margery Brier-Mills, Historical Society of Ipswich, 1982. (Ref 1) 
  • 'The Early Floods of the Brisbane-Bremer River System, 1823-1867', Murdoch Wales (In association with Geoffrey Cossins and Robert Broughton), Brisbane City Council 1976 (Ref 2) 
  • 'Results of Rainfall Observations Made in Queensland' published by the Bureau of Meteorology, 1940. 
  • Monthly Weather Reviews & various data, Bureau of Meteorology. 
Highest annual flood peaks for Brisbane
Highest annual flood peaks for Ipswich
1824 John Oxley, early explorer, mentioned evidence of an inundation which he discovered on 19 September 1824 in an area north of the junction of the Bremer with the Brisbane : "the starboard bank an elevated flat of rich land, declining to a point where had evidently by its sandy shore and pebbly surface, been at some time washed by an inundation; a flood would be too weak an expression to use for a collection of water rising to the full height (full fifty feet) which the appearance of the shore here renders possible." (Ref 2)
1825 Major Edmund Lockyer mentioned the evidence of a large flood while in the area of today's Mount Crosby pumping station - "marks of drift grass and pieces of wood washed up on the sides of the banks and up into the branches of the trees, marked the flood to rise here of one hundred feet". Lockyer's descendant, Nicholas Lockyer, in 1919 made the following remarks: "the official record of the flood level of the river on the 4th February 1893 at the Pumping Station, the site of which is within a mile of Lockyer's camp, was 94 feet 10.5 inches. His remarks would seem to suggest that between Oxley's visit in September 1824 and his [Major Edmund Lockyer] own in September 1825, the river had experienced a flood as great as that subsequently experienced in February 1893." (Ref 2)
Mar 1836 Brisbane: Commandant of the Moreton Bay Settlement, Captain Foster Fyans, wrote that "we had constant rain from the 8th. To the 12th. March, and I am happy to say, notwithstanding the river rose about 12 feet we sustained no injury or consequence, and those many parts of the cornfields were flooded". Murdoch Wales comments that this was in fact only three feet lower in the central city area than the 1974 flood. (Ref 2.)
1839 As reported by the Moreton Bay Courier, 30 May 1857, Ref.2 : "the river began to rise on Tuesday morning (at Ipswich) more rapidly than usual, and on Thursday afternoon it had attained the maximum height of between 35 and 40 feet above the level, being 14 feet less, we believe, than when it rose in the great flood of 1839 when, according to the statement of one who resided here at the time (probably one of the Thorn household), the river overflowed its banks to the extent of 54 feet completely filling all the gullies leading from the Bremer to what are today the main streets of the town, and inundating the country to the eastward of the Main Range for many miles."

Ref 2 also refers to a letter by McConnel of "Cressbrook" near Toogoolawah in which it was said that the 1839 flood was three feet four inches higher than the 1864 flood of twelve feet six inches. Cossins suggests that with a major flood at both Cressbrook and Ipswich, Brisbane must have experienced a flood also. (Ref 2.)
1841 Ipswich flood "55 feet above the ordinary height of the Bremer". (From Queensland Times, Ref1.)

"The water rose 70 feet at Ipswich and no such flood again seen until the 1893 trouble. In the floods of 1857, 1863, 1864, 1870 the water rose 45 feet to 50 feet in Ipswich. The 1887 flood is said to have risen 50 feet in Ipswich which is 5 feet above 1864 and 1870. The flood of May 1857 was the outcome of 6 weeks long continued rather than heavy rain. That of 1863 was February autumn one 15.14 inches of rain fell in 16 days. In March 1864 an equinoctial gale brought the floods. The night of the 18th was terrific. A hurricane blew. The river rose 50 feet in 12 hours at Ipswich. The deluge of March 1870 consisted of 24.25 inches of rain in a little over 4 days; 8.20 inches being the maximum fall in 12 hours." (From Australian Pioneers and Reminiscence, Nehemiah Bartley, Ref 1.)
14/1/1841 Brisbane: Highest flood in Brisbane's recorded history (to 2016).

In 1896, JB Henderson, the Government Hydraulics Engineer in an address to Parliament reported that he found by examination of earlier plans that the 1841 flood was [7 centimetres] higher than the flood of 5th February 1893." (Ref 2)
9/6/1843 Brisbane: A flood of 2.76 metres AHD. (Ref 2)
10/1/1844 Heavy floods experienced at Ipswich on 10th January 1844 (HA Hunt, 1913).(Ref 2)

Flood peak at Brisbane about 4 feet less than the record 1841 flood.
17/12/1845 Heavy floods experienced at Ipswich on 17th December 1845 (HA Hunt, 1913). (Ref 2)
11-14/4/1852 Heavy floods at Brisbane and Ipswich. Ipswich: "We are informed by a person of credit that the Bremer roses 24 or 25 foot." (From Moreton Bay Courier, Ref 1.) Possibly peaked Tuesday 13 April of Wednesday 14 April following the Easter weekend.
19-20/5/1857 Great floods at Ipswich and Brisbane; river at Ipswich rose 45 feet, and at Brisbane 12 feet.
May 1857 Ipswich: "In the inundation in the autumn of 1857 the Bremer rose about 40 feet." (From Queensland Times, Ref 1.) 

"At Mr Flemings extensive establishments, it appears that the water rose 51 feet above its usual level, reaching to the second pane of the window of his new flour mill." (From Moreton Bay Courier, Ref 1.)

Brisbane: "The following morning the wharves were completely inundated with the water rising over the banks to flow the lower portions of both North and South Brisbane. Frogs' Hollow [along a stream, beginning near the corner of Albert and Elizabeth Street and extending northwards to the St Stephen's Cathedral site before making its way to the river near Edward Street] was badly affected and the residents of between twenty and thirty houses had to be evacuated." (Ref 2)

From a correspondent of the Brisbane Courier, 29th June 1907: "The flood of 1857 was the result of eight weeks' continuous, but not heavy, rain. There had been a strong fresh in the river for several weeks, and during a portion of this time all vehicular traffic between North and South Brisbane was suspended as the horse-punt at Russell-street was unable to cross on account of the strong current. At Ipswich the river rose 45 feet, and waterside stores were submerged to the roof; in the Brisbane reaches, however, the flood waters did not rise more than 7 feet above ordinary springs. Rowing boats were plying in Margaret, Mary, and Charlotte streets, but except near Edward and George streets there were few house in the streets named. There were only a couple of houses in Albert-street between Charlotte and Alice streets, and the whole of the low-lying ground from Elizabeth-street to the river was a muddy lake. At South Brisbane one could stand on a hill at Cordelia-street near Boundary-street and see an unbroken sheet of water stretching from Melbourne-street to Tribune-street. Stanley-street was submerged from Walmsley-street to within 1000 yards of the present dry dock. A good deal of the land at Hill-end was submerged, as was also the land on the opposite side of the river, now known as St. Lucia, and which was then a dense vine scrub. Most of the scrub lands at Oxley were also under water, as was Montague-road from the Stanley-street to the present West-end Reserve".
7/10/1858 Flood at Ipswich.
12/10/1858 Ipswich: "Nothing but the absence of a fresh in the Brisbane River prevented the most calamitous consequences in Ipswich, as the water rose even opposite Woodend some six feet higher than during the flood of May 1857." (From the North Australian, Ref 1.)
26/1/1863  Ipswich: Brisbane River bank high, Bremer River rose 4 or 5 feet, Brisbane Road almost impassable.
30/1/1863  Ipswich: Bremer River still rising and the Brisbane River a banker. 
2/2/1863  Ipswich: Bremer River rapidly failing. At the height of the flood a shed on the river bank was about 15 feet under water. 
15 & 16/2/1863  Severe floods at Brisbane, Ipswich and places elsewhere. 
17/2/1863  Brisbane Great deal of damage done by floods; road to Ipswich impassable; Oxley-Creek residents flooded out; hundreds of acres of land under water; machinery at the mill affected, work stopped; Frog's Hollow under water; telegraphic communication with Sydney interrupted. River 40 feet above ordinary level.
18-20/2/1863 Ipswich: Heavy rain fell incessantly from the 12th to the 15th, and caused the highest flood, except that of 1841, on record. Stores along the wharves swept away; roads and creeks impassable; ferry house and several small buildings on the banks of gullies and other low lying positions inundated; creek at One-Mile Bridge a roaring torrent, telegraph posts submerged; Rosewood township partly under water; Nelson Plains one sheet of water. "The 1863 flood was 12 ft. lower than the 1841 flood, as on the Sunday night, when the water was at its highest, it was estimated to be 43 feet above the usual level of the river." (From Queensland Times, Ref 1.) 
20 & 21/2/1863 The greater portion of the lowlands between Laidley and Ipswich one sea of water.
17-18/3/1863 Flood in Queen Street Brisbane from Wheat Creek; very heavy fall of rain; shops and dwellings flooded. The Courier reported "all Queen Street was in a state of consternation last evening consequent upon a sudden flood which deluged the back premises, yards, and basement stories of nearly all the houses on the west side of Queen Street from Albert Street to Edward Street. It would appear that the current was so strong that it smashed windows, burst in bolted doors, and carried gates from their hinges."
23/4/1863 Brisbane: The late rain caused floods over the low-lying ground at Milton and in Fortitude Valley.
25/4/1863 Ipswich: Bremer River rose 15 feet; water within a few inches of the One-Mile bridge; rain ceased; no further rise.
3/12/1863 Ipswich: Continuous rain; flood at Three Mile Bridge; western road impassable.
5/2/1864 Ipswich: Owing to heavy rains communication with the interior cut off and the Warwick mailman forced to return to Ipswich; creek at Fassifern bank to bank; Bremer River rising rapidly. 
8/2/1864  (From Courier files 8-13/2/1864) "The weather has been very tempestuous and rainy during the early part of the week, and the Bremer and Brisbane Rivers rose above their usual flood-tide levels. Very slight inconvenience was felt in Brisbane from the overflow, the proprietors of warehouses on the waterside having taken timely precautions to prevent damage to property by removing their goods. At Ipswich, however, the ferry house was submerged, and the gauging shed was considerably damaged and several of the wharves were flooded. Stream traffic between the two towns was temporarily suspended. Man drowned whilst attempting to cross the river at Ipswich."
17-19/3/1864 Flood and gale at Brisbane and Ipswich (From the Courier files 19- 22/3/1 864). On Saturday night (19th March) the river began to rise, and it was evident that a flood was impending. The telegraph posts at the One-Mile Creek Bridge, Ipswich, which had been raised 20 feet higher than they were at the flood of 1863, were swept away, although they had been let into the ground to a depth of 9 feet and supported by struts. The water at Brisbane rose throughout the whole of Sunday, and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon Albert Street, from Alice Street to Charlotte Street was impassable, and many of the residents of Frog's Hollow had to abandon their tenements. Raff's Wharf was 5 feet under water, as also were Harris's, Forrest's and Towns'. The water went up Russell Street as far as Mr Kincheials store. At the 3 miles scrub the water rose 25 feet above the ordinary level. At Milton much damage was done, and the whole of the cemeteries were under water.
21/3/1864 The flood was at its highest at Ipswich at 1am on Monday, the 21st March, when it was flush with the stone wall at the end of East Street. At this point, the water remained stationery for two hours, when it began to fall slowly. (From Queensland Times, 16 Apr 1864, Ref 1.)
23-30/3/1864 (From the Courier files) Flood damage at Oxley Creek. A large amount of property has been destroyed at Oxley Creek by the late floods. All the farmers on the Brisbane side of the Creek were compelled to leave their houses, and camp on the high ground in the neighbourhood of Cooper's Plains. On the opposite side very few were driven out. McDonald's Hotel was submerged to the eaves, and a sheet of water extended from the new sawmills, situated near the junction of the creek with the river. to the high land at the back of Cooper's Plains a distance of nearly 7 miles. River rose 18 feet above the level reached during the flood that occurred about a fortnight ago, and 10 feet above that of the flood of March 1863.
23/3/1864 Brisbane: The greatest amount of damage by recent floods occurred at South Brisbane, Frog's Hollow, and Fortitude Valley. For many miles along the banks of the river farmers were flooded out, and crops, furniture and in some cases their habitations swept away. Stone jetty at Cleveland completely swept away during a gale on the 18th. 

Ipswich: Ipswich surrounded by impassable rivers and creeks immense damage caused. At Gatton the creek rose 1 5 feet higher than ever known before.
2/4/1864 Brisbane: Two hundred teams stuck up on the road between Ipswich and Toowoomba. Highways throughout interior in impassable state after heavy rains; distressing accounts of destruction received from the northern and interior districts; several lives lost.
5-10/8/1864 Ipswich: Heavy and almost continuous rain; river rose; wharfs many feet under water; One-Mile bridge impassable rifle butts under water.
22/9/1865 Brisbane: Some damage done to the dam in course of erection at the Enoggera Creek waterworks by a heavy fall of rain.
27/10/1866 A terrific storm occurred at Brisbane; town flooded and soon buildings unroofed.
10-12/12/1866 Brisbane: Almost incessant rain since 2 am on the 10th inst.; creeks and watercourses overflowed; lower parts of South Brisbane flooded to a considerable extent. A.S.N.Co's wharf covered; a foot of water in the shed. Total rainfall from 2 a.m. Sunday 9th to 9 pm Wednesday 12th, 5.75 inches. At 9 am on l1th inst. the water was within 3 feet of the by-wash at Enoggera Reservoir and rising at the rate of 4 inches per hour. At 1.30 am 12th the depth of the overflow was 9 inches. By 5 pm the 11th all the wharfs at Ipswich on the southern bank were several feet under water, while there were 3 or 4 feet of water in the sheds; water almost level with the top of the Railway wharf at North Ipswich, and 10 feet above its ordinary level at high water.
1/2/1867 Brisbane: The recent heavy rain caused floods on low and excavated land and basement floors of buildings in several portions of the town. Ipswich: At about 12.30 pm the Bremer River had risen 20 feet at the Ipswich wharfs and was still rising; the One-Mile Creek bridge at Little Ipswich was submerged the railway at Walloon flooded and traffic suspended. The embankments upon the line, 4 miles from Gatton, were washed away. A man and a team of horses were drowned while trying to cross the creek at Helidon.
2/2/1867 Serious floods at Brisbane. Ipswich and in parts of the country.
21/4/1867 Severe flood and gale at Brisbane and Ipswich; loss of life occurred; houses unroofed; damage done to new Victoria Bridge works.
26-28/4/1867 Brisbane: During the most of the week ending 27th April, the weather was very unsettled, and on Friday the 26th rain commenced to fall steadily and continued with but little intermission all day on Saturday. Soon after midnight on Saturday the rain which had been falling in heavy showers accompanied by squalls of wind, commenced to descend in torrents. The rain continued to fall incessantly until daylight. In consequence of this heavy rain the river rose, and never within the last twenty years have the indications of a flood shown themselves within so short a period. The river at high water on Sunday was on a level with the highest spring tides, although the present are dead neaps. Between 8 and 9 o'clock at night, which would have been about half ebb, the water had fallen 2 feet. The two lowest wharfs in the town were covered. A strong current was running down the river all Sunday, carrying with it large quantities of drift timber in single logs and rafts as well as other debris evidently washed off the bank.

The temporary bridge linking north and south Brisbane acted as a dam and collapsed on the evening of 29 April as a result of the debris piling up against it.
22/1/1868 Floods throughout the country especially the southern parts. Bremer River rose 9 feet, wharves submerged; flood anticipated. 
23/1/1868 Ipswich floods subsiding, weather clearing up. 
27/4/1868 Ipswich: Heavy rains. Slight fresh in the Bremer last week and on the 27th the river continued to rise with great rapidity. Shortly after noon it was flush with the wharves and towards evening there were several feet of water in the sheds. The railway line was also damaged.
31/1/1870 Brisbane: Creeks between Brisbane and Gympie swollen; after the Glass House mountain stage was reached the driver of the Gympie coach found it necessary to swim across the creeks with the mails.
7-11/3/1870 Great rains. On the 7th there was a fresh in the river; the Upper Brisbane showed signs of flood, the water being within a foot of top of breakwater. Much of low-lying country at Eagle Farm Flats was flooded and Breakfast Creek Road below the Waterloo Inn was covered to a depth of several inches. On the 8th the river rose considerably, at 2 pm it was 6 feet above high water mark. At Enoggera Reservoir the water was 1'7" below bywash on the 5th, 9" above on the 6th and 4'10" above bywash on 1lth. All creeks in district flooded. The water covered Bowen Bridge and extended as far as foot of the hill beyond the hospital. At Caboolture on 8th the river rose 15 feet above ordinary high water level. On the 9th the river at Ipswich was 20 feet above high water level and at Brisbane on the same date from 3 to 4 feet deep on wharf and in wool pressing and produce stores. In Stanley Street, Town's Wharf was completely hidden by water which appeared to be half-way up posts on the wharf sheds. The Bremer at Ipswich subsided after reaching within a few feet of last great flood.
10/3/1870 Goodna: Flood waters surrounding the post office and still rising; wires submerged at the creek. Glengallan Creek very much flooded.
12/3/1870 Oxley: Fields along the banks of Oxley Creek partially devastated by floods.

Ipswich: "The flood of 1864 was fully five feet higher than the present one which reached its greatest altitude during Wednesday night." (From Queensland Times, 12 Mar 1870, Ref 1.)
14/3/1870 Ipswich: Incessant rain; river again rose considerably.
9/4/1870 Brisbane: Heavy rains. On the 15th the Bremer rose at Ipswich until the water was 2 feet above the wharves. On the 16th the Bremer was 20 feet above the ordinary level and still rising; only the roofs of the wharf sheds visible. On the 18th rain ceased; the Brisbane River was swollen considerably.
14-18/7/1870 Heavy rains. On the 15th the Bremer rose at Ipswich until the water was 2 feet above the wharves. On the 16th the Bremer was 20 feet above ordinary level and still rising; only the roofs of the wharf sheds visible. On the 18th rain ceased; the Brisbane River was swollen considerably.
17/11/1870 Ipswich: Perfect deluge of rain in the evening and during the greater part of the night; the Bremer rose almost to the top of the sheds at the company's wharf; One-Mile Creek high.

Brisbane: Heavy rain on evening of 17th over the whole of southern portion of the colony; lower parts of the town flooded; creek overflowed its banks and flooded cellars of the houses in Queen Street. Rainfall for 24 hours ending 9 am on 18th 3.66 inches; heaviest fall since floods in early part of the year.
24/2/1871 Oxley: Heaviest thunderstorm of year; creeks and roads flooded. 
22/12/1872 Bremer River rose rapidly; 3 feet of water in the A.S.N. Co's sheds at Ipswich in a few hours time.
30/12/1872 Several of the cellars in Queen Street, Brisbane flooded through stoppage of the creek. Almost all rivers up country flooded during last week by heavy rains.
28/2/1873 The Bremer and other rivers much swollen owing to the continued rains; overflow at Enoggera reservoir about 14 inches above the by-wash.
1/3/1873 The Bremer rose to within a few inches of the A.S.N.Co's receiving shed at Ipswich.
17-19/6/1873 Heavy flood at Brisbane. At Ipswich one of the greatest floods experienced since 1864 occurred, and the Bremer rose 40 feet above ordinary level; eight persons and over 6,000 sheep drowned at Cecil Plains. Floods also general up country; great damage at places.
24/6/1873 The highest point reached by the flood at the Port Office in Brisbane was 3 feet 10 inches above the highest spring tides and 5 feet lower than the flood in 1864.
31/12/1873 Flood at Ipswich.
30/8/1879 The floods reached the highest mark. Victoria baths washed down the Brisbane River.
20/10/1882 Enoggera Reservoir in flood.
19-22/1/1887  Very heavy rain over Moreton and East Darling Downs divisions. Creeks in flood and low-lying ground submerged at Cryna (Beaudesert) and Fassifern. Goodna township flooded; houses under water.

"The rain commenced on Wednesday January 19. During the 24 hours to 9am on Friday 21st, 2.63 inches was recorded. Between 9am and 4.30pm on the same day 6.83 inches was recorded." (From Queensland Times, 22 Jan 1887, Ref 1.)
22/1/1887 Railway traffic on the Southern and Western Railway suspended on account of floods. Bowen Bridge, Brisbane 5 feet under water at 5 pm, washed away at 6.30 pm.
23/1/1887 Very high flood at Brisbane. Several lives lost by drowning and a great deal of property damaged.
25/1/1887 The steamer 'Barrabool" ran aground in Brisbane River and two sailors were drowned by the flood waters.
13/8/1887 Heavy rains flooded the low-lying ground in neighbourhood of Brisbane.
17/7/1889 Low lying suburbs of Brisbane flooded owing to the heavy rains; river rose to within a few inches of the flood mark of January 1887.
19/7/1889 Floods in most of the Queensland rivers south of Bundaberg. Five vessels adrift in Brisbane River. The Brisbane wharves and part of Ipswich submerged.
25/1/1890 Brisbane: Water in the river 3'4" above the height reached by the King tides; several of the wharves flooded.
10/3/1890 Floods in the Brisbane River.
11/3/1890 Owing to floods all telegraphic and postal business interrupted. Brisbane River 18' above the level of the 1887 flood. 
12/3/1890 Ipswich: Height of flood above spring tides 58.48 feet; measured at high water at Bremer railway bridge.
13/3/1890 Floods subsided.
28/3/1890 Ipswich: Height of flood above spring tides 35.85 feet; measured at high water at Bremer railway bridge.
11/6/1891 Traffic on Indooroopilly ferry interrupted owing to strong fresh in the Brisbane River.
3/2/1893 Lower part of Brisbane submerged, and water still on the rise; the "Elamang" and the gunboat "Paluma' were carried by the flood into the Botanical Gardens, and the "Natone" on to the Eagle Farm flats.
4/2/1893 Disastrous floods in the Brisbane River; 8 feet of water in Edward Street at the Courier building. Numbers of houses at Ipswich and Brisbane washed down the rivers. Seven men drowned through the flooding of the Eclipse Colliery at North Ipswich. Telegraphic and railway communication in the north and west interrupted. 
5/2/1893 The lndooroopilly railway bridge washed away by the flood. Heaviest floods known in Brisbane and suburbs. 
6/2/1893 The lower part of South Brisbane completely submerged. The flood rose 23'9" above the mean spring tides and 10 feet above flood mark of 1890; north end of the Victoria Bridge destroyed.
7/2/1893 Flood waters subsiding. Sydney mail train flood bound at Goodna, unable to either proceed or return. 
13/2/1893 Second flood for the year in the Brisbane River. 
16/2/1893 More rain in the south east districts; another rise in the Brisbane; further floods predicted.
17/2/1893 A third flood occurred in the Brisbane River for the year. 
18/2/1893 The 'Elamang" floated off from the Botanical Gardens. Business at a standstill in Brisbane. Ipswich and other towns. Several deaths by drowning reported.
19/2/1893 The gunboat "Paluma" safely floated off the Gardens, and the "Natone" off Eagle Farm flats. Another span of the lndooroopilly railway bridge carried away. The third flood reached its maximum height at 12 noon, viz. 10 inches below the first flood. 
21/2/1893  Flood waters subsiding.
11/6/1893 Flood waters of the Brisbane River still rising. 
10/6/1893 A fresh in the Brisbane River.
12/6/1893 Flood at Brisbane reached a height of 10 feet 10 inches above low water or 1'4" above the level of the flood of 1887; water stationary at 10 am.
28/2/1907 Brisbane: Considerable rise in the Brisbane after the recent heavy rains; immense quantities of water hyacinth washed down to the city reaches of the river.
15/3/1908 At Brisbane the river rose to 14'8 1/2" above low water springs. Serious flood at Rosewood.
Mar 1908 Esk: Heaviest rain and floods since 1903. All traffic practically suspended for many days. Extraordinary season. Goodna: River Height at 2 pm 15th 38'4". Harrisville creeks all bankers 13th to 17th and all low lying lands flooded. Ipswich: Bremer River in flood rose to 48'. Laidley: Excessive rains throughout district from 14th to 17th cause local floods and washaways and some damage to crops. Pinkenba floods in river, and half of Pinkenba under flood for three days. Redbank: Flood covering all low lying lands. Rocklea: Owing to heavy rains on 14th and 15th, flood prevailed in this district but did not reach quite as high as 1903 flood.
Mar 1910 Crohamhurst River constantly in flood. Esk: River 12' over normal. Goodna: Slight fresh during month. Cedar Pocket: Creek in a continual fresh. Harrisville: Warrill Creek in flood twice. 
13/1/1911 Floods at Rosewood.
5-10/2/1915 Two men drowned in Stanley River at Woodford. 
1-4/2/1916  Local heavy flooding in Brisbane district.
11/4/1916 Stanley River flooded.
1-10/2/1922 A heavy fresh in Brisbane River.
4/2/1924 Low-lying areas of Brisbane submerged; boy drowned at Zillmere.
11/2/1924 Flooding in Lockyer district.
16-18/3/1925 The Stanley, Caboolture, Pine, Logan and Albert Rivers flooded.
18-22/6/1925 Most south coast rivers and creeks rose considerably. Flood in Stanley River. Railway line washaways and damage to bridges and roads.
1-8/1/1926 Local heavy flooding coastal districts south from Mackay and in sub-tropical interior. Numerous line washaways and several bridges damaged. Boy drowned at Ipswich. 
16-31/12/1926  Flood in Stanley River disorganized traffic between Woodford and Kilcoy. Loss of stock in Brisbane River Valley.
Jan 1927 Local flooding during first half of month notably in Brisbane on 4th when low-lying parts under water.
15-31/1/1927 Stanley and Upper Brisbane Rivers flooded; strong fresh only in lower reaches of Brisbane but many metropolitan suburban districts submerged. Low-lying parts of Ipswich under water.
5-14/3/1927 Stanley flooded and railway line damaged between Woodford and Kilcoy.
& 24-26/3/1927 The Murrumba and Wivenhoe Bridges (Upper Brisbane) covered. Crops damaged.
1-2/4/1927  Minor flooding in several southeastern rivers, chiefly the Stanley, Burnett, and Mary. Numerous bridges submerged; dislocation of traffic and damage to roads and railway tracks.
1-4/10/1927  Heavy local flooding in southeastern districts, including low-lying parts of metropolis. Many bridges submerged and some damaged.
13-22/2/1928 Floods in Stanley and Upper Brisbane very high but in metropolitan reaches of latter only moderate fresh experienced. 
18-21/4/1928 Only a big fresh in lower reaches of Brisbane River, but many of the low-lying parts of the metropolitan suburbs were inundated and the damage to city streets, bridges etc. was estimated at 50,000 pounds. Lad was drowned at Graceville.
18-21/4/1929 Stanley and Upper Brisbane Rivers flooded but a strong fresh only in city reaches of the Brisbane.
2-10/2/1930 Some bridges over Stanley River submerged. 
2-8/2/1931 Brisbane experienced its first flood for 23 years. Most city wharves submerged and water reached almost to Stanley Street, South Brisbane. More serious inundations in parts of suburbs, notably the Milton, Oxley, Rocklea, Fairfield and Sherwood districts. Bridges and roads in Greater Brisbane area damaged to extent of about 25,000 pounds.
TC entered the Coral Sea near Cooktown and moved southward to Hervey Bay. Initially serious flooding occurred in north Queensland with one (1) drowning. As the system moved south towards Hervey Bay, major floods developed over southeast Queensland with thirteen hundred (1300) homes inundated in Brisbane on the 5th February. Two (2) people drowned. A storm surge of 0.76 m was recorded on the Moreton Bay tide gauge. Most of the flooding in Brisbane was in Breakfast Creek where one thousand and fifty six (1056) houses were flooded (three hundred and ninety six (396) above floor level). Around midday on the 5th February, before the heavy rain in the creek catchment, high tide level at the mouth of Breakfast Creek was 1.1 m above ordinary high water spring levels. The subsequent flood levels above Bowen Bridge exceeded the February 1893 flood levels. 
Ipswich: "From a maximum height of 47ft 6 ins about 3 o'clock on Saturday morning (February 7) the Bremer early this morning had dropped to 16ft 6 ins." (From Queensland Times, Mon 9 Feb 1931, Ref 1.)
6/3/1931 Low lying parts of Brisbane inundated. 
9/12/1931 Low lying suburbs of the metropolitan area were submerged. Much damage to roads and bridges, cost of repairs to latter estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds.
15-31/1/1935 Laidley Creek reached its highest level for 40 years.
4/4/1933 Man drowned in Stanley River. Low lying part of metropolis inundated and some damage to property particularly in Nundah district where several fences washed away.
11/12/1933 Some flooding of creeks in the metropolitan area; a lad drowned in Ekibin Creek.
30 & 31/1/1934 Disorganization of traffic in coastal districts south from Maryborough.
20-23/2/1934 Low-lying suburbs of Brisbane again submerged.
1-4/4/1934  Flooding in many streams between Brisbane and Gympie, submerging bridges and roads, and seriously dislocating transport services.
12/4/1934  Further flooding between Gympie and Brisbane. 
21/12/1934 Some flooding of creeks and inundations of low-lying parts in the metropolitan area.
17/10/1935 Low-lying parts of Brisbane suburbs flooded, especially in Wynnum district where roads damaged to extent of about 10,000 pounds.
10/3/1937 Local flooding between Brisbane and Coolangatta.
15-20/3/1937 Low-lying parts of Brisbane and Ipswich inundated. Floods at Harrisville highest since 1911. 
19-21/1/1938 Local flooding in Moreton section of South Coast division, chiefly Stanley River. Low-lying parts of Brisbane inundated.
31/1/1938 Low-lying suburbs of Brisbane submerged.
23-27/5/1938 Kilcoy isolated for few days; low-lying parts of Brisbane submerged on two occasions.
11-17/3/1939 Extensive flooding of low-lying suburbs of Brisbane.
Apr 1939 Local flooding in Esk district.
5/7/1939  Some flooding in Stanley River and the adjacent reaches of the Brisbane River.
Dec 1943 At 0900 on the 30th a small cyclonic centre was indicated a little to the north of Cape Moreton. The formation of this depression was responsible for flood rains from 28th to 30th. The rain spell lasted approximately 36 hours, but fortunately eased by Monday 31th when the centre, filling in, was located 250 kilometres to the north-east of Lismore. Much flooding of low lying areas in South Moreton districts with rapid rises in creeks and main streams on 29th and 30th, but no excessive heights were reached on the Brisbane River. Local reports for 30th included Stanley River at Villeneuve - over railway bridge, Caboolture River at Caboolture Post Office - traffic bridge submerged, Pine River at Dayboro - main street under water. 
Jan 1946 On 23rd rain stations west and south of Brisbane reported 75 to 125mm and up to 165mm (Kalbar and Laidley). These falls caused local flooding, mainly in Lockyer Creek, but main streams in the Moreton and Port Curtis districts were not affected. 
Apr 1946 The rainfall accompanying the offshore cyclonic depression from 2nd to 5th caused moderate rises in the Mary and Stanley rivers where local flooding occurred. At Murrumba, where the Brisbane River rose over the traffic bridge on 6th, conditions were indicative of the temporary traffic dislocation which occurred in these areas. 
Jan 1947 Flooding was particularly heavy in the Logan and Albert river basins, the highest since 1887 and 1893. At Slacks Creek, floodwaters reached telephone wires. On 25th the Logan River peaked at Dulbolla and Beaudesert and the Albert River peaked at Bromfleet and Lumeah. The following peaks were reported from the lower tributaries of the Brisbane River. Warrill Creek at Harrisville on 25th, highest since 1893, and Bremer River at Ipswich on 26th, highest since 1931.
26/1/1947  Ipswich: Bremer River in major flood, highest since 1931.
Jan 1951 Flooding was most severe over the South Coast Moreton where 500 to 750mm seven day rainfall totals caused strong rises in the Mary and Brisbane river systems and in other smaller coastal streams. All transport services were disrupted and low level flooding caused considerable property damage and covered all roads from Brisbane to a depth of a metre or more. Many houses were evacuated particularly in the Maroochy River districts where flooding was very severe. One life was lost at Currumundi Lake near Caloundra.
31/1/1951  Ipswich: Bremer River peaked just below major flood height, two households evacuated, widespread disruptions to traffic. Brisbane-Ipswich road closed at Woogaroo Ck. Brisbane: Brisbane River in flood, severe disruptions to road traffic, most roads out of Brisbane closed due to inundation from flooding caused by metropolitan and adjacent stream. 
1/2/1951 Brisbane: Brisbane River in flood between Brisbane and Ipswich backing up creeks, flooding of low lying areas extensive. Oxley Creek 5' over Oxley road.
2/2/1951 Brisbane River flood threat did not eventuate; rain and flooding easing.
Mar 1955 Serious flooding was also reported in the upper Brisbane River, as well as the small coastal streams north of Brisbane, namely the Pine and Maroochy rivers, as a result of 125 to 375mm rains on 27th. Flood heights in the Brisbane River were generally the highest since 1931, resulting in moderate flooding in the lower Brisbane catchment on 29th and 30th. One life was lost. The Port Office gauge at Brisbane peaked at 3am on 30th, resulting in flooding of some low lying suburbs. 
29/3/1955 Ipswich: Bremer River in major flood, severe disruption to traffic, widespread inundation of low lying areas; highest flood since 1947. 
30/3/1955 Brisbane: Brisbane River in minor flood, some inundation of low lying areas. Great quantities of debris in river.
18/2/1959 Brisbane River in flood Brisbane Valley Highway cut at Wivenhoe. 
Nov 1959 Laidley. Local severe flooding resulted in 1 metre of water in some streets of Laidley, flooding business premises. Hundreds of acres of small crops were inundated in the Lockyer Valley with damage proving very costly. Marburg. Heavy flood run-off damaged three bridges, destroyed a garage and covered the western highway to in excess of 1 metre of water. 
May 1960 Further heavy rain, 125 to 150mm in 48 hours, brought about flash flooding in the upper Stanley River on 26th.
Feb 1961 Flash flooding in the Bundamba Creek at Booval on 25th swept a car off a culvert, killing two people.
Nov 1961 On 17th intense one hour 75 to 125 rains in the Upper Brookfield area led to flash floods which caused destruction of roads and bridges. In the Brisbane Metropolitan area heavy rains on the 20th caused local flash flooding in many suburbs, the worst hit areas being Mt. Gravatt and Sandgate. The Brisbane Valley Highway was cut between Esk and Toogoolawah, due to flash flooding of Gallanani Creek, and rail traffic was slowed because of erosion. Heavy rain in the Bremer catchment on 17th, followed by further falls in the next few days, caused a rise in the river, submerging the bridge at Rosewood for some days. Freshes in other tributaries of the Brisbane River resulted in a slight rise in the main river in its lower reaches. 
Mar 1963 From 13th to 18th heavy rain in south-east districts produced 250mm totals with some totals up to 500mm. Local flooding and traffic disabilities were reported in the Mary and Brisbane rivers as well as the shorter Moreton streams. The Stanley River at Peachester reported peak flows as did the Brisbane River at Murrumba and Wivenhoe Bridge. 
Mar 1967 On 18th falls of up to 150mm associated with Cyclone "Elaine" were recorded in the south-eastern corner of the State. Minor flooding and traffic disabilities occurred as a small flood moved down the Brisbane River, while the Logan River peaked at Macleans Bridge on 19th. 
12/6/1967 Ipswich: Bremer River, in major flood but below 1955 levels. Brisbane: No flooding from Brisbane River itself but widespread severe local flooding from metropolitan creeks with damage estimated in the excess of $1million. Traffic at a standstill; rail traffic halted on some suburban lines. 500 people evacuated from low lying areas. Rainfalls averaging 200 to 250mm in the South Coast Moreton district during the week ending 14th resulted in moderate flooding in the Brisbane and Mary rivers and adjacent coastal streams. The Brisbane River peaked at Vernor on 12th, the highest recorded since 1955, and the Mary River peaked at Gympie on 11th, the highest since 1963. Worst flooding was in the Nerang River, which peaked at Numinbah Valley early on 12th, highest since 1954, and flooded some residential areas on the Gold Coast. Traffic disabilities occurred throughout the Moreton district, but were worst in coastal areas south of Brisbane. Serious local flooding in Brisbane itself on the night of 11th.
Jan 1968 Seven day totals of over 750mm were common in the headwaters of the Mary River, while slightly lower totals were recorded in the headwaters of neighbouring coastal streams and in the headwaters of the Stanley River. The Mary River peaked at Gympie on 10th, and all coastal roads from Brisbane to the north of Bundaberg were impassable to traffic for a few days as the flood peak moved downstream. Many people in Gympie and other centres downstream were forced to evacuate their homes as flood waters approached, and at least one life was lost. Slightly lower rainfalls in the Brisbane River sub-catchments other than the Stanley were sufficient to cause minor to moderate flooding in parts of the Brisbane Valley, while moderate falls on the border ranges produced only minor flooding in coastal streams south of Brisbane. 
14/1/1968 Ipswich: Bremer River in moderate flood; Moogerah Dam spills for the first time since construction, widespread traffic disabilities throughout catchment, most roads cut in low areas or by washouts.
15/1/1968 Brisbane: Brisbane River in minor flood causing some inundation of low river front reaches in the metropolitan area in conjunction with high tides and heavy local runoff.
Oct 1970 On Saturday 24th there was flash flooding in the Brisbane City metropolitan area in Kedron Brook and Enoggera Creek resulting in damage to furniture and fittings in private homes. Several people were drowned.
4/2/1971 Moderate to major flooding in the Bremer caused inundation of low lying parts of Ipswich. Widespread disruptions to traffic throughout the catchment area considerable damage to roads and bridges.
Feb 1972 During the second and third weeks of the month, major flooding occurred in the upper and middle reaches of the Mary, upper Brisbane and Stanley rivers in association with heavy rainfall from Cyclone "Daisy". Flooding, with traffic disabilities, also occurred in Sunshine Coast streams and the Pine and Nerang rivers. Severe local flooding occurred in Brisbane City metropolitan creeks on the morning of Saturday 12th, following general falls of 175mm to 225mm in the 24 hour period.
Apr 1972 During the first week of the month heavy rains in south-east Queensland, associated with Cyclone "Emily", caused moderate flooding in the Mary, Stanley and upper Brisbane rivers. Flooding also occurred in the Kolan and Curtis Coast streams, the Burnett, Albert, Logan, Nerang and Pine rivers, and Sunshine Coast streams. There was widespread traffic disruptions in the above catchments as Easter holiday traffic returned to Brisbane. On the night of Sunday 2nd to Monday 3rd, heavy rain in Brisbane City metropolitan creek catchments caused major flooding in suburban areas, resulting in much damage to property and household furniture.
Jul 1973 During the period 6th to 10th, heavy rain in south-east Queensland caused moderate to major flooding to the coastal strip between Brisbane and Bundaberg. Several lives were lost. Minor flooding occurred in the Brisbane City metropolitan creeks, in particular Enoggera-Breakfast creeks and Kedron Brook, and also in the Nerang River. Major flooding also occurred in the upper Brisbane River and Stanley River, but flooding was not significant in the lower reaches.
27 & 28/1/1974 Ipswich: Bremer River reached the highest levels this century and the highest since 1893. Flood damage through the Ipswich City area was devastating, some 2,000 homes and properties were affected, many being totally destroyed, countless others were affected, many beyond repair and business, property and damage to services running into millions of dollars. Two people were drowned or killed as a result of the flooding during this period.
25-29/1/1974 Brisbane: The Brisbane River also reached the highest level this century and the highest level since 1893. Similarly to Ipswich, the lower flood prone areas suffered extreme damage; 14 lives were lost, some 8,000 householders were affected, many totally destroyed, others damaged to the tune of thousands of dollars as a result of inundation and battering from both strong currents and water borne debris. Business houses and industry generally suffered countless millions of dollars in losses due to damage to premises, stock and loss of business. Estimated damage approximately $200 million in 1974 money values.
Nov 1974 On 27th moderate flooding downstream from Harrisville and Rosewood in the Bremer River. 
Jan 1976 Between 20th and 23rd, stream rises and some flooding occurred in the south-east quarter, including the Brisbane and Mary rivers, from heavy rain associated with Cyclone "David". Laidley Creek recorded a major flood in this period with flood waters entering the town of Laidley.
Feb 1976 By mid month, major flooding was occurring in most streams in the Brisbane Valley, the Albert and Logan rivers, the Macintyre, Moonie and Weir rivers, the Condamine, Balonne, Bulloo and Paroo rivers, the Warrego, Thomson and Barcoo rivers, and Cooper Creek, plus Diamantina and Georgina rivers and Eyre Creek . Major flooding in these rivers was caused by the low pressure system formally Cyclone "Alan".
May 1980 Most streams in the Nerang, Albert and Logan rivers and Brisbane City metropolitan creeks reached minor flood levels on 7th and 8th. Traffic disabilities occurred through the area, especially along Oxley Creek. No damage reports were received. 
Nov 1981 Local to minor flooding occurred in the Bremer River from 2nd to 4th and local flooding with traffic disabilities for Brisbane City metropolitan creeks on 3rd.
Jan 1982 Widespread moderate to heavy rainfall in the Moreton South Coast district caused local flooding in the Brisbane City metropolitan area on 21st. Minor to moderate flooding occurred in the Mary River from 21st to 25th, the coastal streams from Brisbane to Noosa on 21st, the Bremer and Warrill creeks on 21st and 22nd and the Stanley River and upper Brisbane River from 21st to 23rd.
May 1982 Moderate to heavy early morning rain in the Brisbane City metropolitan area on 30th, caused local flooding and traffic disabilities in some flood prone suburbs.
May 1983 On the afternoon of 28th moderate flooding occurred in the Bremer River with minor flooding at Ipswich the next day. 
Apr 1984 Stream rises and local flooding were reported from Brisbane metropolitan area and the Macintyre and Dumaresq river systems on 8th due to heavy rainfall in the southeast corner. Gale force winds and heavy rainfall on 8th caused widespread electrical failures, local flooding and traffic disabilities and property damage in the Brisbane metropolitan area and the Gold Coast. Twelve people were rescued from disabled yachts in Moreton Bay and coastal waters of the Moreton Coast.
Aug 1985 During the evening of the 17th, thunderstorms in the Brisbane metropolitan area caused local flash flooding.
Oct 1985 Flooding in low lying areas of metropolitan Brisbane due to heavy rain during the morning of the 27th.
Feb 1988 A severe thunderstorm over Cooyar Creek catchment on the evening of Friday 12th caused the highest flood since European settlement in the township of Cooyar. Several houses and buildings were washed away and two lives were lost.
Jun 1988 Widespread moderate with local heavy rain on the 3rd and 4th in the South Coast districts caused moderate flooding in Warrill Creek near Amberley on the 5th 
Jul 1988 A man drowned when his car was swept away in a flooded creek in one of the southern Brisbane suburbs.
Apr 1989 During the first few days of the month, the Albert and Logan rivers experienced moderate flooding, and local to minor flooding occurred in creeks in the greater Brisbane area during the same period. A renewed heavy rain period commenced in southeast Queensland on 25th causing major flooding to re-occur at Gympie on the Mary River, and in the upper Brisbane River, the Albert and Logan rivers to the south of Brisbane and other coastal streams between Maryborough and the New South Wales border. Severe local flooding also occurred in the Brisbane metropolitan area overnight on Tuesday 25th. 
May 1989 Very heavy rain re-developed in the southeastern districts during the 16th and 17th. Minor to moderate flooding was recorded in the Albert and Logan rivers, and also in the Bremer River and Warrill Creek. 
Feb 1990 Moderate to heavy rainfall in the Brisbane Metropolitan /Sunshine Coast area on the 24th produced flooding in low lying areas of Brisbane and parts of the southern Sunshine Coast. Flooding became more extensive the next day, causing traffic disabilities.
Feb 1991 On the night of Thursday 7th very heavy rain of around 200mm fell over areas of the Logan system and Warrill Creek catchments to the south of Brisbane. Three people drowned at flooded road crossings during the flash flooding that followed. Extensive damage occurred to rural properties, fencing and crops in the Boonah, Rathdowney and Kalbar areas and a school at Kooralbyn was destroyed. Flooding subsequently developed in the Logan River and record flood levels were recorded at several locations. Flooding of low lying properties, roads and bridges accompanied the flood peak. Several houses were flooded in the suburbs of Logan City in the Waterford area during the weekend of 9th and 10th.
Dec 1991 Severe flooding of some coastal streams occurred in south east Queensland from Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th. Areas of major flooding along the Bremer River, Bundamba and Warrill Creeks caused significant property loss and damage. In the Bundamba Creek area, forty two people were rescued from flooded homes.
Feb 1992 Major flooding.in the upper reaches of the Stanley River occurred during Saturday 22nd and one motorist was drowned attempting to drive across a flooded river crossing. 
Mar 1992 Major flooding occurred in the upper reaches of the Brisbane and Stanley rivers. No reports of damage were received. Minor flooding occurred in some of the Brisbane Metropolitan Creeks causing minor traffic problems.
Feb 1995 Rainfall around the Sunshine Coast during the middle of February caused moderate flooding in the Mary and Upper Stanley rivers to 17th. 
Nov 1995 Moderate flooding occurred in the upper reaches of the Bremer River and Warrill Creek from the 20th to 21st but only small rises resulted in the lower reaches of the Bremer. 
May 1996 Brisbane River basin: Heavy rainfalls and flooding were reported throughout the Brisbane catchment during the first week of May with widespread 7 day rainfall totals of up to 600mm. A tidal surge caused by the low pressure system and gale force winds caused higher than normal tides in the Brisbane River which also contributed to flooding in low lying areas. Runoff from the first peak in the Bremer River combined with the tidal surge and local runoff in the Brisbane City reaches caused higher than normal tides at the Port Office during Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th. The observed high tide at the Port Office on Saturday 4th at 2255 was 1.99 metres AHD (0.61 metres above the predicted tide). On Sunday 5th the high tide at 2338 was 1.94 metres AHD (0.57 metres above the predicted tide). Minor flood level at the Port Office is 1.70 metres. 

At Lowood the Brisbane River started to rise as floodwaters from Lockyer Creek moved downstream causing a minor flood peak of 12.26 metres at about 2100 on Sunday 5th. Downstream at the Mt Crosby Weir the flood peaked at 14.10 metres at 1200 on Sunday 5th. These floodwaters combined with runoff from the Bremer River produced a Moggill peak of about 7.10 metres AHD at about 0300 on Monday 6th. The effect at the Port Office was a height of 1.60 metres AHD (0.79 metres above predicted tide) at 1200 on Monday 6th and 1.74 metres AHD (0.40 metres above predicted tide) at the next high tide just after midnight.

Flood levels at gauges on the Brisbane River downstream of Lowood during this event were the highest recorded since January 1974. They were however well under flood levels recorded during January 1974. For example in 1974 the height at Mt Crosby was 26.74 metres, the height at Moggill was 19.93 metres and the Port Office reached 5.45 metres AHD.

During this event, inflow from the Stanley River and tributaries caused the storage level in Somerset Dam to rise from about 54% to just over Full Supply Level. Moderate flooding in the Upper Brisbane River caused the storage level in Wivenhoe Dam to rise from 57% to nearly 90% of Full Supply Level. During this flood event there were no releases from Wivenhoe Dam or Somerset Dam.

Laidley Creek suffered major flooding with a major flood peak of 9.00 metres at Mulgowie on Friday 3rd. At the Showground Weir site a major flood peak of 8.25 metres was also reached on Friday 3rd. Further rainfalls in the catchment during Saturday 4th caused a second major flood peak of 9.09 metres at Mulgowie on Sunday 5th. The Showground Weir peak reached 8.25 metres.

Combined runoff from the Lockyer Creek and tributaries as well as runoff from Laidley Creek caused river rises on Lockyer Creek at Glenore Grove during Thursday 2nd with major flooding commencing on Friday 3rd. A peak of 13.62 metres was recorded at Glenore Grove at 0900 on Friday 3rd. Flood levels started to recede slowly at Glenore Grove during Friday afternoon and Saturday morning but started to rise again as further rainfall fell upstream and a second major flood peak of 14.30 metres was reached at 0900 on Sunday the 5th. The flood level at Glenore Grove remained above major flood height from early Friday morning till late on Sunday night. The peak of 14.30 metres is the highest flood peak at Glenore Grove since January 1974 when it reached 14.94 metres.

Downstream at Lyons Bridge the flood peaked at 16.44 metres at 0900 on Sunday 5th. This was 0.10 metres below the peak of the January 1974 flood. Flooding in the Lockyer Creek catchment caused extensive crop damage. Evacuations were carried out around Laidley and in the Glenore Grove area. The Warrego Highway was cut near Glenore Grove. Numerous other roads were cut during this flood event isolating farm communities.

Bremer River and Warrill Creek: With the onset of the heavier rainfall on the 1st and 2nd, runoff started in the Bremer River and Warrill Creek in the early morning of Thursday 2nd. The Bremer River at Rosewood and Walloon continued to rise during Thursday and peaked at a moderate flood height on Thursday afternoon. Renewed heavy rainfall in the area that night and during Friday the 3rd caused renewed rises in the Rosewood and Walloon areas and a major flood peak of 6.20 metres was recorded at Rosewood at noon on Friday 3rd. Downstream at Walloon a major flood peak of 8.20 metres was also recorded at noon. This peak is the highest recorded at Walloon since the floods of January 1974 when the peak at Walloon was 8.70 metres.

On Warrill Creek a major flood peak of 6.75 metres was reported at Amberley at about 2100 on Friday 3rd . This peak was about 3.4 metres below the January 1974 peak. Upstream at Harrisville and Kalbar major flooding was also occurring during Friday. The combined runoff from Walloon and Amberley as well as Purga Creek runoff caused a moderate flood peak of 11.31 metres at the David Trumpy Bridge in Ipswich at 2100 on Friday 3rd. This is well below the January 1974 flood level in Ipswich of 20.70 metres. It is also below the last significant flood event during December 1991 when there was a flood peak of 13.10 metres at Ipswich.

Further rainfall was reported in the catchment on the afternoon of Saturday 4th and morning of Sunday 5th with the heaviest falls in the Rosewood to Walloon area. The subsequent moderate flood peak at Ipswich was 9.85 metres at 2300 on Sunday 5th. The floodwaters in the Ipswich area during this second peak were significantly affected by backwater flooding in the Brisbane River.
Feb 1999 Significant river rises in the Stanley and Brisbane rivers and tributaries above Wivenhoe Dam resulted from heavy rainfall on 8th. Moderate flooding developed in the Stanley River and major flooding in the Brisbane River above Wivenhoe Dam. Releases from Wivenhoe Dam commenced on the 9th causing closures of low level crossings along the Brisbane River downstream of Wivenhoe Dam, with minor flooding between Wivenhoe Dam and Mount Crosby. The same rainfall system caused rapid rises with moderate flooding in Lockyer Creek, Warrill Creek and the Bremer River. The Bremer River at Ipswich peaked just below the minor flood height on the evening of the 9th.
Feb 2001 Rainfall in the Brisbane River during early February varied from 150 mm in the lower reaches of the Brisbane River to nearly 600 mm in the upper reaches of Laidley Creek.  The most significant flooding occurred along Laidley Creek with levels some of the highest of record but, fortunately, of short duration.

Minor flooding resulted in the upper reaches of the Brisbane River over the first few days of February and low flows were released from Wivenhoe Dam during the second week in February. Flooding in the upper reaches of Lockyer Creek was only minor during the period but, with the major flooding along Laidley Creek, major flooding also occurred in the lower reaches of Lockyer Creek where a peak just over 13 metres was recorded early Sunday morning 4 February.

Minor flooding also occurred in the Bremer River and Warrill Creek systems during the period but there was no significant flooding in the lower reaches of the Bremer or Brisbane Rivers.
Mar 2001 On the afternoon of 9 March 2001, very heavy rainfall caused flash flooding from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast with reports of 200 to 300 mm in a 2 to 3 hour period.  Heaviest rainfalls were reported in the Beenleigh-Logan area and the southern suburbs of Brisbane where severe local flooding occurred causing
major traffic disruptions and damages to cars and houses. Worst affected creeks in Brisbane included Norman Creek, Bulimba Creek, Stable Swamp Creek and their tributaries. About 300 properties were flooded and there was one death; a passenger in a vehicle swept from a road at Lawnton. 
Nov 2004 Heavy rainfall in early November caused river rises to around the minor flood level and flash flooding in coastal streams in south east Queensland. Four warnings were issued for this event. Isolated river rises were also recorded in the Burnett, Fitzroy, Warrego and Paroo rivers.

South East Queensland Rivers: Heavy rainfall commenced throughout south east Queensland early on Sunday November 7. The rainfall was mainly concentrated in a band from Brisbane to Beenleigh, and caused flash flooding in several smaller streams in the area. Moderate flooding was also recorded in Teviot Brook near Boonah. Heavy rainfall on the Gold Coast caused flash flooding and river rises in the smaller creeks. By Sunday afternoon the rainfall had largely ceased, and river levels eased rapidly over the next few days. The final warning was issued on the morning of Wednesday November 10. For more details on the flooding in South East Queensland please click on the following link.
Aug 2007

Stanley River : The heavy rainfall on the Sunshine Coast also caused rises in the Stanley River above Somerset Dam. Minor flood levels were reached at Peachester and Woodford on 24/8/2007 and 25/8/2007 respectively.
Feb 2008 Scattered thunderstorms and isolated heavy rainfall over Southeast Queensland during early February produced only minor flooding from the 5th of February on the Bremer River and Warrill Creek in the Ipswich area.
Nov 2008 Intense rainfall occurred overnight on Wednesday 19th November across South East Queensland, particularly in the Ipswich and Lockyer Valley area. This caused local flash flooding overnight with riverine flooding occurring in the Bremer River, the Lockyer, Laidley and Warrill Creeks on Thursday the 20th of November. Major flood levels were reached in the Bremer River and in the Lockyer, Ipswich and Northern Brisbane Creeks. For more details on the flooding in the Ipswich region please click on the following link.

A moderate flood peak of 10.0 metres was reached at the David Trumpy Bridge at Ipswich in the early afternoon on the 20th of November.
May 2009 Very heavy rainfall to parts of South East Queensland resulted in flash flooding, and moderate to major flooding of streams between the Sunshine Coast and the Ipswich area.The 4-day rainfall totals to 9am on May the 22nd were generally between 200mm and 400mm, with some of the highest daily rainfall totals exceeding 250mm across the Brisbane and Ipswich areas, including Beerburrum with 302mm.

A Flood Warning for Coastal Streams between Noosa and Coolangatta commenced on May the 19th, with a further Flood Warning commencing on May 20th for the Bremer River, Warrill Creek and Ipswich Creeks. Flood Warnings remained in effect until May the 22nd.

Significant flash flooding was recorded throughout the Brisbane suburbs, with moderate to major flooding occurring in Purga, Bundamba, Woogaroo, Moggill and Breakfast Creeks.

Some minor to moderate flooding occurred in the Stanley River above Somerset Dam, and moderate to major flooding was recorded in the Bremer River and adjacent streams in the Ipswich area. For an overview of the flooding throughout South East Queensland please click on the following link.
Oct 2010

Brisbane River catchment: Rainfalls in excess of 200mm in the top of the Stanley River catchment combined with widespread 100mm falls throughout the rest of the upper Brisbane River catchment in the 48 hours to 9am on the 12th of October to produce minor to moderate flooding above Wivenhoe Dam. This flooding provided both Somerset and Wivenhoe Dam with good inflows eventually producing the first large scale gate operation at Wivenhoe Dam since 1999.

Minor flooding was also recorded in Lockyer Creek in the Lyon's Bridge area, in the Bremer River around Rosewood and Walloon and in Warrill Creek around Amberley.

Flash flooding was also recorded in some of the nothern suburbs of Brisbane including Strathpine, Zillmere, Wooloowin and Deagon, causing traffic disruptions and some inundation of residential areas. Flood warnings that began on the 11th of October continued until the 19th.
Jan 2011 An exceptional and tragic rain event occurred over southeast Queensland during the second week of January 2011 causing extreme flash flooding in Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley and major river flooding in the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers.

35 people lost their lives as a result of flooding throughout Queensland during December 2010 and January 2011. An estimated 200,000 people were affected throughout Queensland during this period causing an estimated AUD $1 Billion worth of damage. A major recovery program was established throughout the region and an inquiry into the flood event was announced by Premier Anna Bligh on Monday the 17th of January.

Southeast Queensland experienced very much above average to highest on record rainfall for the month of December 2010. Further rainfall then followed in the first week of January, saturating the catchment area. By the 7th of January a combination of weather systems centred themselves over land in the Burnett River catchment area. These systems combined to produce heavy rainfall and major flooding in the Mary River catchment and about the Sunshine Coast before moving southward into the Pine and Brisbane River catchments.

Heavy and very intense rainfall from the 9th to the 12th of January resulted in rapid creek rises and extreme flash flooding in Toowoomba and in Lockyer Creek. The devastating flash flooding first of all through Toowoomba and then in the communities of Withcott, Murphy's Creek, Helidon, Grantham and Gatton on Lockyer Creek caused catastrophic damage. Cars were washed away and entire houses were shifted from their foundations such was the power of the water.

Rainfalls in excess of 1000mm were recorded in the Brisbane River catchment during December and January with the vast amount of this rainfall falling in the 96 hours to 9am on the 13th of January. The most significant rainfall intensities were well above the 1% Annual Exceedence Probability (100 year Annual Recurrence Interval).

Rainfall totals recorded in the 96 hours to 9am on January 13th 2011

River levels upstream of Somerset and Wivenhoe Dam's exceeded 1974 flood heights and in some locations recorded their highest levels on record. Inflows into Somerset and Wivenhoe Dam's were nearly double those of 1974 and can be compared to the 1893 flood event.

Extreme flash flooding along Lockyer Creek during the afternoon and evening of the 10th of January produced river levels over and above 1893 levels in the upper reaches of the catchment. Considerable routing occurred as the flood peak travelled downstream which lessened local effects in the lower reaches of Lockyer Creek.

Major flooding in the Bremer and Brisbane Rivers produced the largest flood heights at Brisbane and Ipswich since the infamous '74 flood'. Other communities effected during this period included Kilcoy, Esk, Fernvale, Laidley, Rosewood, Amberley and Caboolture, the latter recording its largest flood on record.

Ipswich: River levels at Ipswich began to rise on the 10th of January before recording a major flood peak of 19.4 metres at 1:45pm on Tuesday the 12th of January 2011. This height is the highest level since the 1974 flood of 20.7 metres and well below the record flood on 23.6 metres recorded in 1893. For an overview of the flooding that was recorded in Ipswich please click on the following link.

Flood warnings forecasting for flood heights at Ipswich began on the 9th of January and continued until the 17th of January.
Flood heights at the Ipswich gauge for January 2011

Brisbane: Seven major flood peaks have been recorded at the Brisbane gauge since records began in 1841. A major flood peak of 4.46 metres (6th highest) was recorded at 3:00am on Thursday the 13th of January 2011. This is the largest flood peak recorded since the January 1974 flood when the Brisbane River reached 5.45 metres. Higher levels are possible in Brisbane with two floods (8.35 metres and 8.09 metres) being recorded two weeks apart in February 1893 and higher still in the record flood of January 1841 at 8.43 metres. For an overview of the flooding that was recorded in Brisbane please click on the following link.

Flood warnings forecasting for Brisbane began in the early hours of the 10th of January and continued until the final warning was issued on the 19th of January.
Flood heights at the Brisbane City gauge for January 2011
Jan 2013 Rainfall associated with ex-tropical cyclone Oswald was recorded along the Queensland east coast during the last week of January. Record major flood levels were recorded in numerous catchments along the coast. Very heavy rainfall was recorded throughout the Brisbane River catchment between the 26th and 28th. Major flood levels were recorded above Wivenhoe Dam in the upper Brisbane River and in the major tributaries of the Stanley River and in Cressbrook Creek. Major flood levels were also recorded throughout the Lockyer Creek catchment and also in the Bremer and Warrill Creek systems. Record flood levels were recorded in Laidley Creek at Laidley and in the neighbouring catchments of Black Duck and Tenthill Creeks. As a result of this rainfall a major flood peak of about 14 metres was recorded at Ipswich and a minor flood peak of 2.3 metres was recorded in the Brisbane CBD.  For more details on the flooding at Brisbane and also in the Ipswich region please click on the following link.
Mar 2014 Heavy rainfall was recorded across South East Queensland during the 24 hours to 9am on the 28th of March. Major flood levels were recorded along Warrill Creek including at Kalbar, Harrisville and Amberley. Minor to moderate flooding was also recorded along the Bremer River and Lockyer Creek catchments. River levels at Ipswich and Brisbane remained below minor.
Feb 2015 Heavy rainfall associated ex-tropical cyclone Marcia impacted all catchments south of Rockhampton including the Brisbane River catchment. Major flood levels were recorded throughout the Lockyer Creek and Bremer River catchments. For more details on the flooding associated with ex-tropical cyclone Marcia click on the following link.
Mar 2017 Heavy rainfall was recorded throughout the Brisbane River catchment associated with the movement of ex-tropical cyclone Debbie. Major flood levels were recorded in Ipswich where a peak of 12.35m was recorded. Downstream at Brisbane, river levels remained below the minor flood level.

Updated November 2017.