Lake Eyre status

I am watching for any replies as we are heading that way next week.

Keep an eye on the SA desert parks bulletin.

Three days ago

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/parks/parks/flinders-ranges-outback/desert-parks-bulletin-gen.pdf

Hi Boobook,

You won't get there over the next few days, unless by plane from faraway places.
Oodnadatta track is flooded in several parts, both from the Marree end and the Marla end.
Several travelers are stranded in various locations such as Marree, William Creek and Oodnadatta.
Will be two or three days before track is reopened, if there is no more rain.

The SA Gov. Outback Roads website should be reliable, but current conditions shown do not reflect what was in the news report this morning.

Remember seeing a comment by Sharon Oldfield recently, Boobook, well over a month ago, that the Lake wasn't all that full. Seem to recall she said that it had a long way to go to be full, with not a lot of inflow at that moment.

Didn't check the Diamantina when we were in Birdsville earlier this week, but can tell you that Eyre Ck wasn't running on QAA Line. There's a fresh in the Thomson at Longreach at the moment, but by the time it gets down there, the spring evaporation rate will be starting to climb.

Bob

Hi Boobook
I drove from Marree to Marla on Monday and Tuesday and the road is fine.There is water in places but not enough to cause any problems in a 4wd.

Hi Boobook

I phoned the William Creek Hotel this morning and this is what the very helpful lady has told me, as from reports on our local radio this morning, all outback roads were closed and 50 people were stranded at William Creek, with over 30mm of rain yesterday at William Creek.

Yes there were 50 people caught out there last night, but all roads out were open this morning to four wheel drive only, with sections of water over the track. Most people headed out once the road was open, but 11 vehicles are still there to give the roads that little bit longer to dry out. It was not raining today, but the sky was overcast and more rain expected next Wednesday.

As the lady said, it is best to give them a call, that is the William Creek Hotel for the latest most accuracy local information before heading that way on ...
08 - 8670 7880

The current prices for flights over Lake Eyre are $260 per person for the one hour flight and $420 per person for the two hour flight.


Keep dry and out of the mud.



Cheers



Stephen

Gee Tony finding out about Lake Eyre is like pulling teeth, and I'm not much help either.
My experience with it is that local rain does not put a lot of water in to it and that dries out quickly, as you could imagine the local water running in to Lake Eyre is then blowen around the lake and soaks in.
Some of those local tour operators see a cloud and tell you the lake is full then when you arrive tell you some one has pulled the plug.

Cheers
Graham