While counting the catastrophic stock losses continues, the flood focus is moving to the Gulf, with the flooding visible on the satellite photos as record flooding is causing catchments to merge.
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As of Sunday there were major flood warnings for the Flinders River, a moderate flood warning for the Leichhardt and Norman Rivers, and a flood warning for the Nicholson, Gregory and Gilbert Rivers. The Flinders River, which empties west of Karumba, is experiencing its most significant flood in at least the last 50 years.
Carpentaria Shire Council does not envisage any major flooding for Normanton and Karumba but major flooding will continue along parts of the lower reaches of the Flinders River into next week as floodwaters continue to arrive though no further rain is expected.
Data started to re-appear Saturday afternoon after an outage affecting numerous automatic gauges across the Gulf Rivers catchments.
River level rises on the Nicholson and Gregory Rivers are heading downstream to Burketown and there are reports of wide breakouts from the Leichhardt River around Augustus Downs heading towards Amraynald.
There are currently no observations available for the Albert River at Burketown Airstrip, however no appreciable rises are being observed and levels remain below the minor flood level (5m)
Moderate flood levels continue to slowly ease along the lower reaches of the Leichhardt River at Floraville Sunday morning. On the upper Leichhardt River, Julius Dam continues to spill though levels are easing very slowly.
River levels are generally easing along the upper Flinders River through to Richmond.
The Flinders River at Richmond manual gauge is currently at 7.7m (moderate flood) and falling. The Flinders River at Richmond is expected to remain above the moderate flood level (6m) during the next few days.
Flood levels downstream from Richmond will remain high for some time. As the flood peaks from the Cloncurry and Flinders converge, floodwaters are spreading out across the floodplain, particularly in the area between Etta Plains and Canobie through to Walkers Bend, and will remain high during this week at least.
Walkers Bend at a record flood level of 16.75m, about 11.5 m above the bridge level on the Burke Development Road. This level exceeds the 1974 record level of 15.67m. It will remain above the major flood level (5.6m) during this week and into next week.
Major flood levels are occurring on the Norman River at Yappar River with breakouts from the Flinders River adding flood volumes into the upper Norman River. Downstream, slow river level rises and moderate flooding will develop downstream to Glenore Weir and Normanton during Sunday.
The Norman River at Normanton is currently at 2.64m (minor flood) and rising. The Norman River at Normanton is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (4m) overnight Sunday into Monday. Higher levels are possible, and forecasts for Normanton will be provided as upstream peaks have been observed.
River levels are generally easing across the headwaters of the Gilbert River catchment. Moderate flood levels are expected to continue along the lower Gilbert River catchment. River levels have become available at Rockfields, where river levels remain below the level of the A J Bond Bridge.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
