Dam spillway gates opened further to reduce risk of major downstream flooding
Date published: 2 February 2019
Authorities have opened the Ross River Dam spillway gates further to increase the amount of water released from the Dam.
The increase in the spillway height will allow 1000 cubic metres of water to be released per second. The spillway gate opening was increased about 5pm.
Townsville Local Disaster Management Group (TLDMG) Chair Mayor Jenny Hill said the decision was not taken lightly.
“We are receiving expert advice about rainfall predictions, inflows into the dam and how much water needs to be released to try and reduce the level of flooding downstream,” Cr Hill said.
“Thousands of properties could be inundated if this torrential rain continues over coming days. We are doing everything we can to reduce the risk of major flooding downstream from Ross River Dam.
“This is a huge and very unpredictable rain event.”
Cr Hill said the Queensland Police Service and Australian Defence Force Personnel door knocked homes in several suburbs today to make residents aware of the flooding risk
“Residents in these areas should determine if they evacuate their home and move to higher ground and stay with friends and family or move to one of the evacuation centres established around the city,” Cr Hill said.
“There are no forced evacuations at this stage but I’m asking everyone to please use common sense and stay safe.”
For more information listen to local radio, phone 1800 738 541 or visit Council’s Emergency Disaster Dashboard disaster.townsville.qld.gov.au.
