Dam spillway gates will not be opened further until after high tide
Date published: 2 February 2019
There will be no further increases in the Ross River Dam spillway gates opening until after the high tide scheduled for 8.24am.
Townsville Local Disaster Management Group (TLDMG) Chair Mayor Jenny Hill said sustained heavy rainfall would need to fall over the dam catchment today before any further increase in the spillway opening height – which would release more water downstream.
“There was less rain within the dam catchment overnight, which provides us some reprieve,” Cr Hill said.
Cr Hill said a team of experts were monitoring the high tide, rainfall predictions and outflows from the Ross River Dam.
“The spillway gates will remain open to the current level until the high tide passes,” Cr Hill said.
“There is a team of experts analysing all the most up-to-date information to make decisions to keep our community safe.
“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.
“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.”
Cr Hill said the TLDMG will advise residents if they need to prepare for additional downstream flooding.
“Residents should still be thinking now about their preparations should forecast heavy rain occur over the catchment and downstream flooding increases,” Cr Hill said.
“To stay up to date with all the correct information on this rain event please visit Council’s Emergency Management Dashboard.”
Visit Council’s Emergency Management Dashboard at http://disaster.townsville.qld.gov.au/
