Originally Published October 5 2022
LESSONS have been learned from the significant 2011 floods in and around the Kerang district, but there is always a sense of unease with catchments primed and rivers full, says Gannawarra Council acting chief executive Geoff Rollinson.
Mr Rollinson, who led council’s efforts in the recovery of the floods that saw Kerang turn into an island, said it was a “watching brief” at the moment as flood wardens and emergency services “watch the skies” with what weather patterns will hit northern Victoria later this week.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast 100 per cent chance of rain tomorrow, with between 20 and 35mm before another very high chance of 25mm on Thursday and Friday.
The district recorded 67mm last month, but a break over the weekend of sunshine helped the river systems stabilise.
Mr Rollinson said council led a briefing with flood wardens and emergency services on Friday to discuss the Avoca, Loddon and Murray systems.
“It’s a high river and water is pushing back from the Murray back up the Loddon … it’s very flat and about a one in 16,000 fall between Kerang and the Murray,” he said.
“It will make it difficult if there is a large event for water to access the Murray.
“At this stage it’s watching the gauges which are sitting fairly steady at the moment – we are just watching the skies.”
More than 200,000 sandbags were available to the community if required and the township levee banks in Kerang and Quambatook have been inspected.
Mr Rollinson said there was some concern shared about private levee banks on Crown land with some minor water seeping without danger to communities.
It took 12 days for water to travel from the spilling Laanecoorie Reservoir to reach Kerang and five days from Charlton to Quambatook on the Avoca River, giving enough time for personnel to prepare “if worse happens”.
“If we get gentle rain like we have been, that won’t be too bad, but we are keeping our eye on any storm event because if we get a significant downpour in a short period of time, that’s the concern we will have,” Mr Rollinson said.
He urged people potentially impacted by minor flooding on the river systems to stay updated on the Vic Emergency app or call the SES for assistance.
A minor flood warning is in place for the Murray downstream of Tocumwal to Barham.
Minor flooding is occurring at Torrumbarry, with moderate flooding possible. Moderate flooding is occurring at Barham.
The Murray River at Torrumbarry Weir may exceed the moderate flood level (7.60 metres) today.
The river level may reach around 7.7m around 10 to 11 October, with moderate flooding.
The Murray River at Barham is likely to remain around 6m through to mid-October, with moderate flooding.
A similar minor flood warning has also been issued for the Loddon River Weir to Kerang, with minor flooding continuing along the Loddon River downstream of Loddon Weir and at Appin South.
River levels are elevated along the Loddon River catchment.
In the 24 hours to 9am Monday, no significant rainfall totals have been observed across the Loddon River catchment and no significant rainfall is forecast for Monday into Tuesday.
Heavy rainfall is forecast for Wednesday and renewed river rises are likely. The Bureau of Meteorology is monitoring the situation closely.
The Loddon River at Appin South is currently at 2.9m and steady, with minor flooding, and is expected to remain above the minor flood level (2.8m) for the next few days.
