North Qld downpours could see state’s largest dam set new record
Published Friday, 06 February, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Minister for Natural Resources and Water and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland
The Honourable Craig Wallace
The continued huge rainfalls in North Queensland could see the Burdekin Falls Dam break record overflow levels not witnessed since 1991, Water Minister Craig Wallace said today.
Mr Wallace said a 6.38 metre wall of water is currently spilling over the 500 metre spillway into the Lower Burdekin River.
“Almost 1.5 billion litres of water is flowing over the spillway each day,” Mr Wallace said.
“When you consider this dam is spilling almost as much as its entire capacity daily you really start to get a firm grasp on how big this inflow event is.
“This dam is the state’s largest and most reliable storage. It regularly fills and spills but we have not seen the likes of this type of overflow since February 1991 when the water reached 6.85metres over the spillway.
“With the weather bureau predicting further downpours in the region there’s a chance the dam could exceed that record.”
Mr Wallace said SunWater would continue to monitor dam levels and liaise closely with the SES and Burdekin Shire Council, which are co-ordinating the community’s flood response activities.
“While the huge deluge across the region has made for a spectacular site at the Burdekin Falls Dam, it has also had a devastating affect on many North Queenslanders in towns drenched by flood waters.
“The Bligh Government will continue to do everything we can to support those people affected by the floods, and SunWater will continue to provide the information about dam levels required by the SES to assist the community.”
Media contact: 3896 3688
Mr Wallace said a 6.38 metre wall of water is currently spilling over the 500 metre spillway into the Lower Burdekin River.
“Almost 1.5 billion litres of water is flowing over the spillway each day,” Mr Wallace said.
“When you consider this dam is spilling almost as much as its entire capacity daily you really start to get a firm grasp on how big this inflow event is.
“This dam is the state’s largest and most reliable storage. It regularly fills and spills but we have not seen the likes of this type of overflow since February 1991 when the water reached 6.85metres over the spillway.
“With the weather bureau predicting further downpours in the region there’s a chance the dam could exceed that record.”
Mr Wallace said SunWater would continue to monitor dam levels and liaise closely with the SES and Burdekin Shire Council, which are co-ordinating the community’s flood response activities.
“While the huge deluge across the region has made for a spectacular site at the Burdekin Falls Dam, it has also had a devastating affect on many North Queenslanders in towns drenched by flood waters.
“The Bligh Government will continue to do everything we can to support those people affected by the floods, and SunWater will continue to provide the information about dam levels required by the SES to assist the community.”
Media contact: 3896 3688