2025 FLOODS: Burdekin Falls Dam spilling over, Woodstock-Giru farms underwater
The Burdekin River has reached major flood levels and is on track to beat its 2011 record, trapping motorists on remote highways and triggering minor flood warnings below the dam.
Townsville
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The Burdekin River has gone from 5m to 18m in two days, cutting off Charters Towers and adding to worsening nearby creek flooding as swift water rescuers worked overnight to help stranded motorists.
Charters Towers Regional Council mayor Liz Schmidt said the last time the Macrossan Bridge went under was in 2019.
“But this time it’s come up much quicker,” Cr Schmidt said.
“We expect it to rise quite significantly still.”
As of 3pm Monday, the Burdekin River at Sellheim was sitting at 19.2m.
The Macrossan Bridge was closed midday Sunday, February 2.
Burdekin floodwaters have also backed up into the Hann River, cutting the Gregory Development Rd off north of Charters Towers, and rainfall briefly lifted Southern Cross Ck over the Flinders Hwy to the south early on Monday.
Mayor Schmidt said supplies won’t be an issue for Charters Towers as roadtrains do come up the Gregory Development Rd (Cape Rd) from down south.
However, right now motorists, trucks, and tourists stuck on the wrong side of the road closures have become a concern for council - especially due to the high number of travellers who were on the inland roads trying to get around the Townsville floodwaters.
“We did have a few swift water rescue jobs overnight going across the Hann Ck to motorists who’d become stuck on the other side,” Cr Schmidt said.
“There is maybe 100 metres of traffic stuck there. They went up to Bluewater Springs only to get stopped at Stockyard Creek, but when they turned around the Hann had risen up behind them.”
Transient campers in free campgrounds are another issue for Charters Towers Regional Council, who tried to move campers from the Macrossan campground yesterday with the help of police.
“There was a number of campers out there, and quite a few chose to move to the top bank and stay in the camping area,” Cr Schmidt said.
“So hopefully they have plenty of solar and food to last them... because it’s going to be a few days.”
Helicopters offering $80 rides over the Burdekin River
Heliway has started offering their traditional rides over the Burdekin River for those desperate to get across for essential travel reasons only.
At the cost of $80 per person, riders can jump the flooding river at the Flinders Hwy but need to organise their own transport to the Macrossan Bridge and organise their own pick-up on the other side.
Heliway’s Billie Scott said the business also offered the same service during the 2019 floods.
“A lot of the people are needing to get from the Charters Towers side to the Townsville side,” Ms Scott said.
The Heliway crew can be reached on 0439 296 719 or 0499 774 219
Severe Woodstock-Giru flooding from Haughton River
In nearby Woodstock rural properties are fighting to save their livestock and infrastructure from a flooding Haughton River.
Webb Road farmer Christopher Faust spent his Sunday bringing cattle up from low-lying areas through waist-deep water coming out of Majors Creek, which is meant to flow out into the Haughton.
Mr Faust said 90 per cent of his property had gone underwater and a lot of kangaroos had drowned.
“Rain has eased out here this morning. We still have no power,” he said on Monday morning, 8.30am.
“Still flooded in from all the creeks being up on Woodstock-Majors Creek Road. It looks like we won’t be able to get out for another three or so days yet and they have forecasted more rain to come. Food and water supply is getting a bit low.”
As of Monday morning, the Haughton River and Upper Burdekin were at ‘major flood’ levels.
Minor flood warning for lower Burdekin River, Clare, Dalbeg, Inkerman Bridge
A minor flood warning has been issued for the lower Burdekin River below the Burdekin Falls Dam.
Sunwater advises water is continuing to spill over the dam wall.
Residents in the lower Burdekin River catchment were advised at 2pm to prepare five days worth of food, water and medicines in case the situation worsens.
Minor flooding is likely at Burdekin Dam, Dalbeg (expected to reach 10m), Clare (9m) and Inkerman Bridge (7m) from Monday evening.
Further rainfall is forecast over the next few days, which may result in continued river level rises.
Burdekin mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the Burdekin Disaster Group was running flood modelling for the Burdekin River and assessing the situation.
This situation is being closely monitored, and warnings will be updated as necessary.
Charters Towers urged to limit water use
At 9am on Monday Charters Towers Regional Council used a ‘conserve water now’ alert after an intake failure at the Weir in the Burdekin River.
Residents are being asked to not use washing machines, only flush toilets when necessary, and take very short showers.
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Originally published as 2025 FLOODS: Burdekin Falls Dam spilling over, Woodstock-Giru farms underwater
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