Townsville floods: Ross River Dam at 217% as rain continues to fall

Levels of the Ross River Dam continue to rise even as authorities make the decision to open the gates further.

Update, 6am February 3:

The Ross River Dam is at 217% and levels are slightly falling, as the gates allow water to flow from the city’s water supply.

At 9pm Saturday, the dam reached 219.9% capacity (512,707 megalitres).

Ross River Dam is currently at 219.9% capacity (512,707 Megalitres). Latest reading at 9:00pm on the 2nd of February. #Townsville

— Ross River Dam (@RossRiverDam) February 2, 2019

February 2:

LEVELS of the Ross River Dam continue to rise even as authorities make the decision to open the gates further.

The Ross River Dam was at 210.6 per cent or 491,165 megalitres at noon on Saturday.

Meanwhile, as at noon today the Paluma Dam was at 98.9 per cent capacity and the Burdekin Dam was at 133.9 per cent.

The Queensland Police Service and Australian Defence Force Personnel will be door knocking homes in Oonoonba, Idalia, Rosslea, Hermit Park, Railway Estate, South Townsville, Cluden, Townsville City and some areas in Hyde Park to warn residents of potential flooding risks.

Residents in these areas should determine if they evacuate their home and move to higher ground and stay with friends or family, or move to one of the evacuation centres established around the city.

The door knocking operation began at 2pm, in anticipation of further opening of the Ross River Dam spillway gates. The opening of the spillway gates may be increased again today, depending on the rain that falls over the Ross River Dam catchment.

Townsville Local Disaster Management Group Chair Mayor Jenny Hill encouraged residents in those suburbs to exercise caution and common sense when deciding to evacuate their homes.

“We ask anyone who is door knocked and lives in a low-set home to consider leaving because their home may be flooded,” Cr Hill said.

“Residents living in higher areas and in high set homes should consider the conditions where they live and make an appropriate decision.

“There are no forced evacuations at this stage but I’m asking everyone to please use common sense and stay safe.”

7.20am:

The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group have confirmed the Ross River Dam spillway gates will not be opened further until after Saturday morning’s high tide.

TLDMG Chair, Mayor Jenny Hill, said the spillway gates would remain open to the current level until the high tide passes, scheduled for 8.24am this morning.

Gallery: Townsville’s flood chaos

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Cr Hill said significant heavy rainfall would need to fall over the dam catchment today before the spillway would be opened further.

“There was less rain within the dam catchment overnight, which provides us some reprieve,” she said.

“The TLDMG has made very deliberate decisions to open the spillway gates further than they would normally be because there are still predictions for heavy rain over the catchment area this weekend and into next week.”

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Cr Hill said experts were monitoring the high tide, rainfall predictions and outflows from the Ross River Dam to determine the best course of action.

“This is one of the biggest wet seasons that Townsville has experienced in many years and we are doing everything we can to keep our community safe,” she said.

“There is a team of experts analysing all the most up-to-date information to make decisions.

Kristy-Rose Williams, 16, at Ross River Dam as it releases water due to flooding rain. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“Residents should still be thinking now about their preparations should forecast heavy rain occur over the catchment and downstream flooding increases.”

Cr Hill said residents would be advised if further preparations needed to be made for additional downstream flooding.

Visit the Emergency Management Dashboard at disaster.townsville.qld.gov.au for further information from Townsville City Council about the rain event.

A drone picture taken of the Ross River Dam at 6pm, January 31 when it was at 154 per cent capacity. Picture: Brooks Steff

Ross River Dam opened its floodgates as the heavy rain continues to hit Townsville. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Police and other emergency services are continuing to doorknock a number of suburbs warning residents of the risk of flooding and helping them prepare.

A number of homes have been evacuated overnight and this morning.

Originally published as Townsville floods: Ross River Dam at 217% as rain continues to fall