Minor flooding in the upper Derwent

Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania

Minor Flood Warning for the River Derwent

Issued at 9:54 am on Friday 29 July 2016

Flood Warning Number: 4
Minor flooding developed in the lower reaches of the Derwent River below Meadowbank Dam early Friday morning in response to recent rainfall. Minor flooding is not expected to extend downstream to Macquarie Plains and New Norfolk.
Widespread rainfall totals of up to 10mm are forecast in the Derwent catchment over the next 24 hours, with higher totals possible about elevated areas. Snow melt is expected to increase runoff. This rainfall is expected to maintain high river levels throughout the Derwent catchment during Friday.
Some storages within the Derwent system are at high levels, with several dams spilling. Lake King William has started to spill for the first time since 2013, resulting in elevated river levels in the River Derwent downstream of the dam.
Strong and dangerous flows may be a hazard throughout the Derwent catchment for the next few days.

River Derwent above River Ouse:

River rises have been observed in the upper reaches of the Derwent catchment. Some storages within the Derwent system are at high levels, with several dams spilling. Lake King William has started to spill for the first time since 2013 resulting in elevated river levels downstream.

River Derwent above Meadowbank Dam:

River rises have been observed in the middle reaches of the Derwent catchment.

River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam:

Minor flooding is occurring along the River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam.

The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam is currently at 4.34 metres and rising. The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam is likely to peak between 4.30 and 4.60 metres Friday afternoon. The river level may fall below the minor flood level (4.10 m) by Saturday morning.
The River Derwent at Macquarie Plains is currently at 3.02 metres and rising. The River Derwent at Macquarie Plains is expected to peak below the minor flood level (4.0 metres) during Friday.

River Derwent around New Norfolk:

Minor flooding is not expected to extend downstream to New Norfolk.

The River Derwent at New Norfolk is currently at 1.12 metres and falling. The river level at New Norfolk is expected to remain below the minor flood level (2.0 metres) during Friday.

Flood Safety Advice:

FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.tas.gov.au
Road closure information is available at www.police.tas.gov.au
For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500.
For life threatening situations, call 000 immediately.Next Issue:
The next warning will be issued by 04:00 pm EST on Friday 29 July 2016.

Latest River Heights:

Location	Height of River (m)	Tendency	Date/Time of Observation
River Derwent below Lake St Clair	1.95	Steady	08:30 AM FRI 29/07/16
River Ouse at Ashton	1.63	Steady	09:00 AM FRI 29/07/16
River Ouse at 3B Weir	1.46	Rising	09:00 AM FRI 29/07/16
River Clyde at Bothwell	0.94	Steady	08:00 AM FRI 29/07/16
River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam	4.34	Rising	09:00 AM FRI 29/07/16
River Derwent at Macquarie Plains	3.03	Rising	08:41 AM FRI 29/07/16
Tyenna River at Newbury	1.07	Steady	08:00 AM FRI 29/07/16
Styx River at Bruces Bridge	1.60	Falling	08:23 AM FRI 29/07/16
River Derwent at New Norfolk	1.13	Falling	09:15 AM FRI 29/07/16

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 216. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/tas/flood. The latest weather forecast is available at www.bom.gov.au/tas/forecasts.