Innamincka floods update

Hi Teraa, The Warburton does not get any flow from the Cooper Ck but only the Diamantina River and the Eyre Ck. Both of these have had relatively good flows but not as much as 2009 which put enough water into Belt Bay to give a level of 1.6m. This was still too low for sailing - they needed 2m - but plenty to see from the air. Click on Halligan Bay for pix. The Wet has died in the Kimberley but is still kicking along in Qld and there could be a surge of rainfall and hence runoff in the next few weeks. This could be just wishful thinking but thats whats fun about the weather - predictions.. According to the BoM, even the massive 2000 floods on the Cooper did not reach Lake Eyre. The hydrologists are still calculating inflows, evaporation and soakage. I will add data to this site as it comes in.... W

I didn't say the flow came from the Cooper it came from local rain and the Derwent and I don't think BOM can calculate this one as it's too wide spread just run off from local rain started the flow in the Warburton. I will be in a boat in the next couple of days on the Warburton so I' give you a cooee how far it has gotten. But I defintley wouldn't call it a trickle. There might also be a low forming in WA again so you never know. I think the local rain will make a difference to any of the rivers or creek flows then other years. Some of the stations on the cooper don't even have people on them so know would know what rain fall they had. I was just commenting that it's hard to get correct information from some sites. I liked how you got local info.

Geoff,

We are planning a similar trip as you but won't be leaving until mid- July. We are coming from Melbourne via Wentworth, Broken Hill, Tibbooburra, Cameron Cornere, Noccundra, Dig Tree, Innaminka then home down the Stezlecki track to Arkaroola and the Flinders & stop ober in the Barossa to catch up with my brother & then home. We have 4 weeks so we hope it will all be OK by then & we'll see some green & maybe some wild flowers.

Chris

Hi Red Rodeo, Warrie gave a good update - in prompted me to look further into the road reports - some of the bridges in channel country are a meter under water and more (where there are bridges!). Now if you want to see the outcome of floods go to the SA website and look for the gallery on the 2007 flood - one interesting photo is where the flood water have eaten all the soil from under the road so for a driver you would see normal water across the road but.... another is where the bridge / culvert was completely taken out but the side barriers were left hanging - I remember crossing culverts underwater following the rails thinking - oh yea its ok.....I could say more but look at the photos (different place but flood water and dirt work the same everywhere) http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/quick links/jan_2007_flood_images/jan_2007_flood_images.asp Sobering isn't it? Certainly a snorkel would need to be preettty long... Either way the councils and road works crews are going to have a awful lot of clean-up to do and the focus will be on main not minor roads! If I was heading up there in the next month I would be planning 2~3 alternate routes everywhere, not get my heart to set on locations (we all know some of the best places have been found through detours) and put a lot of work into fuel planning - fuel may not be available, it may be wet or you may have a low tank at the end of a very long road with a washout. I am definitely not trying to discourage you - its a one in 20 year chance to see the country after a very unusual event, and it will be super green, I am just saying I think you need to think pretty carefully about your approach and planning. Its a shame google maps satellite doesn't up date in real time!

Some of those were scary, especially this one where the guard rails are stil in place but the road has gone:



Pete

I have never been a fan of crossing bridges where water is over the top of and moving at any sort of speed, even if i can see the railing, basically If I cannot see the road then I am happy to wait or go back.

Looking at the that pitcure I think they need a lot of much bigger pipes to allow the water to pass.

Brian

Even the culvert was undermined

http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/quicklinks/northern_roads/area1.asp

Isn't this why people buy 4wd's? Engage 4-low and continue. :)

Andrew
TIC

Nice photo you'd need wings to get over that lot bit of a surprise if it had been covered by water. Heres a update the roads up the brirdsville track are trashed no doubt council is working hard. The station near Marree got 1.5 inchs Monday with smaller falls further up the road, the road is closed with further larger falls expected this weekend. If it dries the track no doubt will get fixed but others would proably remain trashed for a while just keep your eye out for deep washouts. but won't it be great when it dries the reveg already is amazing. It is also taking longer and longer for places to dry out with the constant rain.