CANBERRA, ACT, May 27 -- Murray-Darling Basin Authority issued the following news release:
Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred impacted southeastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales (NSW) earlier this year, bringing widespread heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding.
Queensland's area-averaged rainfall total in March was 207.2 mm - 124% above the 1961-1990 average, making it the third wettest March on record since 1900.
This intense rainfall made history downstream, when the influx of water reconnected the Paroo and Darling Rivers for the third time in the past 100 years.
The increased flows saw communities throughout the entire stretch of the Barwon-Darling catchment faced with mild to moderate flood warnings in the weeks that followed.
Throughout March and April, Barwon-Darling REO Shona Whitfield witnessed her community, local councils, NSW State Emergency Service, and Water NSW banding together to prepare for the incoming flows.
She was there when the river peaked, and she was there when the water started to recede as it made its way through the system towards Menindee Lakes.
Challenges for community
Generally, floodwaters move through the system slowly, and it can often take weeks or months to fully understand the impact on communities and ecosystems.
"Flooding can have a massive effect on small communities," said Shona.
"Roads can get inundated, rural towns isolated, infrastructure can be damaged, and community members often lose assets and property - it can be devastating.
"With the water still receeding, we don't yet know the full impact this has had on the community. We do know that the psychological impacts will reveal themsevles for months to come."
NSW SES, NSW Reconstruction Authority and other services have been on the ground assessing impacts and providing support for affected communities.
Opportunities for the environment
There are many billabongs and lagoons in the Barwon-Darling, as well as lakes and wetlands on the floodplains, which provide major bird breeding sites. It is known as an ecologically significant area, home to Narran Lakes, the Wongalara, Woytchugga and Poopelloe lakes, the Acres Billabong and several deflation basin wetlands.
The recent flood water flowing through the catchment has provided nutrients and energy to these ecosystems, giving species a place to thrive.
"The birds are just everywhere - in their thousands," said Shona.
"The significant fauna species, such as river red gum, black box, river cooba, coolabah and lignum, should also thrive.
"I believe that with the lakes and wetlands filling up again, there will be a lot of positives for the environment that come out of this."
Emergency contact information
We do not provide advice to the general public on flooding or evacuations. Find out who to contact.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
