Minor flooding possible today

Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania

Minor Flood Warning for the River Derwent

Issued at 10am on Thursday 28 July 2016

Flood Warning Number: 2
Minor flooding may develop in the lower reaches of the Derwent River below Meadowbank Dam during Thursday in response to forecast rainfall.
In the 24 hours to 9AM Thursday, rainfall totals of 30 to 50mm have been reported about the upper reaches of the catchment. Widespread rainfall totals of 10 to 20 mm 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. 
Some storages within the Derwent system are at high levels, with several dams spilling. During Thursday, Lake King William is expected to spill for the first time since 2013. This will result 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 are expected in the upper reaches of the Derwent catchment during Thursday. Some storages within the Derwent system are at high levels, with several dams spilling. During Thursday, Lake King William is expected to spill for the first time since 2013. This will result in elevated river levels downstream.

River Derwent above Meadowbank Dam:

River rises are expected in the middle reaches of the Derwent catchment during Thursday.

River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam:

Minor flooding may occur along the River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam.

The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam is currently at 3.53 metres and steady. The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam may exceed the minor flood level (4.10 m) Thursday afternoon.
The River Derwent at Macquarie Plains is currently at 2.50 metres and steady. The River Derwent at Macquarie Plains may exceed the minor flood level (4.00 m) Thursday afternoon.

River Derwent around New Norfolk:

Minor flooding is likely along the River Derwent around New Norfolk.

The River Derwent at New Norfolk is currently at 0.80 metres and falling. The River Derwent at New Norfolk is likely to exceed the minor flood level (2.00 m) Thursday evening. The river level may peak between 1.90 and 2.20 metres Friday morning.

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 4pm on Thursday 28 July 2016.

Latest River Heights:

Location	Height of River (m)	Tendency	Date/Time of Observation
River Derwent below Lake St Clair	1.78	Steady	09:30 AM THU 28/07/16
River Ouse at Ashton	1.43	Steady	09:30 AM THU 28/07/16
River Ouse at 3B Weir	1.21	Steady	09:30 AM THU 28/07/16
River Clyde at Bothwell	1.03	Steady	08:00 AM THU 28/07/16
River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam	3.55	Steady	09:30 AM THU 28/07/16
River Derwent at Macquarie Plains	2.50	Steady	09:37 AM THU 28/07/16
Tyenna River at Newbury	1.03	Steady	08:00 AM THU 28/07/16
Styx River at Bruces Bridge	1.85	Steady	08:09 AM THU 28/07/16
River Derwent at New Norfolk	0.80	Falling	09:40 AM THU 28/07/16

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.