The History of Floods in South Australia

Project Origins and History

The Bureau of Meteorology in conjunction with the South Australian Flood Warning Consultative Committee between 2002 and 2006 sponsored a project entitled 'The History of Floods in South Australia' which culminated in the production of a book and DVD based upon floods recorded in newspapers in South Australia between 1836 and December, 2005

Planning work for the project commenced early in 2002 when volunteer, David McCarthy, formerly Director of Works at the City of Unley, drew up a feasibility study for the Flood Warning Consultative Committee. Following a decision by the Committee to proceed a skeletal plan for the project was developed and late in 2002 the Bureau of Meteorology started work on the project with the assistance of David McCarthy.

The book entitled "Floods in South Australia: 1836 - 2005" and its accompanying DVD were published in December 2006.The work was completed by Work for the Dole Programme participants under the guidance of volunteers who provided continuity and played a major role in the writing and editing of the book,DVD content and their production. The information is collated and presented in a manner designed to provide persons with an interest in floods a source of information upon which to base futher research relevant to the occurrence, location and incidence of floods in South Australia since European settlement.

At the conclusion of the project all research material derived from newspapers was collated and provided to the State Library of S.A. for ready access by persons interested in researching information on a broader scale than what was presented in the publication.

At the conclusion of the project all research will be collated and a copy provided to the Mortlock Library for access by parties interested in researching information on a broader scale than what is presented in the publication.