Diaman�na River Catchment Resilient Local Knowledge Map Queensland Reconstruc�on Authority

Catchment Overview Climate & Rainfall Weather and climate characteris�cs in the Diaman�na River Basin The Diaman�na River rises in the Swords Range, some 70 kilometres south-west of and flows ini�ally in a north and easterly direc�on before changing to a south-westerly direc�on 70 kilometres in the last 30 years from 1989 - 2018 (BoM, 2018): Elderslie (037046) Belmont (037105) 1400 1400 Annual rainfall has been rela�vely stable - increasing by around 20mm over 30 years while s�ll naturally fluctua�ng. 1200 1200 west of Winton. 1000 1000 800 800 600 600 Major tributaries joining the river are Mills Creek, Nesbi� Creek, Oondooroo Creek and Jessamine Dry years have occurred six �mes and wet years 11 �mes with the remainder remaining in the average range. 400 400 200 200 Creek, east of Winton as well as Wokingham Creek and the Western and Mayne Rivers north of 0 0 On average, the Diaman�na River at is usually dry for around five months (40%) of each year, but there is large 2016 2012 2008 2004 2000 1996 1992 1988 1984 1980 1976 1972 1968 1964 1960 1956 1952 1948 1944 1940 1936 1932 1928 1924 1920 2016 2012 2008 2004 2000 1996 1992 1988 1984 1980 1976 1972 1968 1964 1960 1956 1952 1948 1944 1940 1936 1932 1928 1924 Diaman�na Lakes, and Farrars Creek south of Monkira. varia�on between years. It reaches minor flood level when the river height reaches 4m, which happens, on average, about 1920 Elderslie (037046) No Data Available Belmont (037105) No Data Available once every second year. The Diaman�na sprawls out into true south of Diaman�na Lakes. Rainfall has been unreliable in the south west part of the region around Birdsville. Rainfall during the early wet months is Monkira (038015) Brighton Downs (037007) The river does not have a well-defined main channel but consists generally of a series of wide, unreliable across the region. 800 800 700 rela�vely shallow channels. South of Winton, the principal town on the Diaman�na is the remote Useful rain events have occurred an average of twice a year. As of 2019, there have only been 13 summer seasons since 1900 600 600 500 that have not had 50mm rain event, represen�ng a 5% risk of occurring any year. 400 400 outpost of Birdsville, and it receives waters from ten local government areas. From Birdsville, the 300 200 Diaman�na River Gauge Analysis 200 Diaman�na crosses the border into South and flows into Ka� Thanda- - the lowest 100 1400 0 0 1200 2012 2008 2004 2000 1996 1992 1988 1984 1980 1976 1972 1968 1964 1960 1956 1952 1948 1944 1940 1936 1932 1928 1924 1920 natural point in Australia. 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 1000 Monkira (038015) No Data Available Brighton Downs (037007) No Data Available 800 600 400 200 Cork Sta�on (037014) Bridsville Police Sta�on (038002) 0 1200 Elderslie Belmont Monkira Cork Sta�on Brighton Birdsville 600 (037046) (037105) (038015) (037014) Downs Police Sta�on 1000 500 (037007) (038002) 800 400 Annual Lowest Annual Mean Annual Median Annual Highest 600 300 200 Southern Oscilla�on Index and Interdecadal Pacific Oscilla�on Modelling of Australia’s Annual Rainfall (1890 - 2019) 400 30 -3 200 100 20 -2 0 0 10 -1 0 0 2016 2012 2008 2004 2000 1996 1992 1988 1984 1980 1976 1972 1968 1964 1960 1956 1952 1948 1944 1940 1936 1932 1928 1924 SOI IPO 1920 1920 1923 1926 1929 1932 1935 1938 1941 1944 1947 1950 1953 1956 1959 1962 1965 1968 1971 1974 1977 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 -10 1 -20 2 Cork Sta�on (037014) No Data Available Birdsville Police Sta�on (038002) No Data Available -30 3 1890 1895 1900 1905 1910 1915 1920 1925 1930 1935 1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 (, Ecosciences Precinct, ‘Australia’s Variable Rainfall with Tropical Cyclone Tracks’, 2019) How to use this guide: The informa�on below provides local knowledge on landscape characteris�cs and flood behaviour. This is provided for local land managers, Council staff, and Government Agencies to be�er understand the Diaman�na River Catchment and its unique characteris�cs. This guide has used the best available informa�on at present derived from upda�ng a previous map developed and significant local input from a series of community mee�ngs with locals in 2019. It is intended to help you assess what type of flood is likely to occur in your area and indicate what amount of feed you might expect. You may wish to record your own flooding and landscape characteris�cs on the map.

Timeline of Flooding within the Floods of around 1m are common at the Diaman�na River Catchment Diaman�na Bridge near Elderslie. Once flood waters exceed more than about 1.5m, Year Grazier Flood Defini�on they will spread out over a large area for only a small increase in depth. It takes 100-150mm of 1876 Handy rain for water to run off 1879 Handy the black soil. 1880 Handy Water during the 2019

r Water can back up here if event went 13mm over

1882 Handy e Black soil the dam banks here.

v there is rainfall to the Wokingham Creek i Equal to the 1974 event. 1887 Handy country. runs reasonably R south. fast. 1890 Handy a m Cre 1893 Handy n Mitchell grass gha ek � W okin n country. Erosion impacts in this 1894 Good High stock loss in this area a Boulia Hard earth part of Wokingham 1899 Channel m C Creek can alter during the 2019 flood event. O a country. R channelisa�on and i MOUNT SALMOND F 1903 Channel Diamanti IE D 267 M na L flood behaviours. R D 1904 Good Kynuna iver R 100-150mm of water will IC H There will be a half banker ) M ek 1906 Handy re come out of the system and O Cre at Bendamere if Kynina e N s Elderslie be absorbed before the D R ll h O i Normal flow in 1907 Handy In the 40 years (perhaps Wokingham Creek Water from the has a full banker. The w A M 7 se system will start running. D Mills Creek is 20km Diaman�na slows water spreads out el 1908 Good longer) prior to 2019, the KERRS TABLE MOUNTAIN in 12 hours. Wi down when the water d g Corfield Western Rivernton 304 M a MCKENZIES RISE in The Wokingham Creek catchment 1910 Handy three rivers have not peaked reaches Kynuna y 227 M in requires a lot of rain to run enough Flood flows quite k Sta�on. s ra e Roads in this area had 1.5m deep Only property between Kynuna water for a flood as there are large fast off the higher 1912 Handy together at Elderslie Sta�on. e - t r and the Kennedy Development o areas of heavy Mitchell grass downs. country in this area. C road washouts due to the K n t The hard country in y Erosion in this area from 1913 Channel r intensity of the 2019 flood event. Road. If it is half banker here, it f a n i k this area leads to ( the 2019 flood event was h e u is a full banker at the Kennedy re 1914 Channel u fast flowing water e C anecdotally worse than Black soil q n Development Road. a r c During the 2019 event, here. rn the 2000 flood event. U a This country can only 1916 Channel n e country. n High rainfall around t 640mm of rain was e W handle 130-150mm of floodwater from the headwaters e 1917 Handy l Dagworth Sta�on will o recorded at Balmoral u rain a �me and has

G fl

had already arrived before flows S drive up river height in Olio Sta�on during the 2019 n 1918 Good MOUNT CATHEDRAL E black soil. Nesbitt C W re

the Diaman�na. 270 M l flood event. LA o ek

arrived from Mills Creek. d c

O 50mm of rain up here will N

1920 Handy Dagworth Sta�on has a lot e o

D t This gauge provides around 12hrs of create a good flood at the r S

R of ranges and this B Mitchell grass s O k flood warning for Winton. Connec�ng Winton has three days warning

1922 Handy top of the Diaman�na. ROU D encourages fast flows into l e G

i Water o�en runs with landowners upstream will provide when rain falls here and if there is country.

If the Diaman�na River is the main river system. e e H

1925 Handy pre�y high here. This r more warning. grass. Winton will have only one

flowing, water from the R C H does not mean all day warning if there is bare earth. 1928 Channel E I

A N G Cat surrounding creeks G Proper�es north of he m Western River backs up Limestone ridges dra H

1930 Handy l Cre will run uniformly. a Winton can be isolated e W in this area. k

across the Collingwood area. h MOUNT ROURKE B during a flood event. A 1932 Handy 220 M o The hard country in g Jessamine Creek ran clear o Cathedral Creek can add a Y The former town of Collingwood was A full banker at Bendameer n l this area leads to fast i during the 2000 event for 5-6 1933 Channel b fair amount of water to the i k once a service loca�on on the stock e flowing water here. Sta�on will put water over days because there was so S main river system. There are semi-perma- C the bridge at the Kennedy o 1935 Handy a much vegeta�on to filter the v r route, however this service is now e nent waterholes near the i Developmental Road. W l e water. l M e k f Kennedy Development 1937 Good i Rose provided by Winton. d C o k C d Road. ee r le r p r ee 1939 Handy t e o Small amounts of rain amine C k o e The Cadell Creek catchment receives quite MOUNT BOOKA BOOKA - T Jess n k 248 M 1 day create localised travel 1940 Handy C a few storms. It is mainly hard ridge country Elderslie re challenges in this area. e so the water runs fast. This fast flowing KENNEDY 1941 Handy Rainfall is sparse across the k water can close the channels at Brighton 860mm of rain fell 22 DEVELOP Middleton ho MENT here during the 2019 ur AL landscape. Different combina�ons Downs ahead of the Diaman�na River s - ROA 1949 Handy ek flood event. l W D water. e l in r t of rainfall events and river levels will u on r C f ive 1950 Good 50mm rain off the ridges leads to local to ie (2 Western R r e Eldersl 000 fl M flooding. e r oo create different styles of floods ac The 2019 flood event d), ays Winton roo 1953 Handy k h e usually takes 5 d Oondoo u 75-100mm of rain will flood Cadell Creek tc Creek n MOUNT BOOROOMA through the catchment. e w completely scoured l d enough to block up the Diaman�na. 1955 Handy F s 261 M a the Western River. e W l MOUNT CAPO GOLEBURRA 1956 Handy o e Fast flowing The system of channels 295 M s 50-75mm of rain over the h 1963 Good t water here. r here are not as restricted C Mackunda Creek catchment will e Mistake Creek usually r t as they look. The water is e run enough water to block up the a runs fast and early. It 1967 Handy e slow moving here. Mitchell grass k Diaman�na - this will push the w R flows past Winton water down the western side of s ORY AN 1968 Good country. a C GE before Jessamine Creek. If the Diaman�na River holds up at 3.3m for the river to Diaman�na lakes. C s a y Gidgee 1969 Handy d a Willia ALLEN RANGE three weeks at Diaman�na Lakes: e d ms Cre Having good ll 5 e k M country. 1970 Good C telecommunica�ons is - Monkira should receive a handy flood re k ta e o k TABLETOP HILL o coverage here is e 1971 Good k t No real gorges or C - Durrie should receive a channel flood 165 M 00 important. re 20 constric�on that affects ek 1972 Handy - Roseberth should receive a channel flood ry rug a water flow in this sec�on MAIDA HILL K he C ru 282 M 1973 Good - Cli�on Hills should receive a channel flood reek b of the river. Fe 1974 Good Mackunda Creek in k d Some blacksoil is Cree tends to be slow o Towers o located at the base 1975 Handy moving. ) fl PotJostler Creek d of these ranges. 1976 Good oo MOUNT WILLIAMS fl The channels here at 260 M t 1977 Good rs Cork Sta�on are very fi Hard country. Property owners upstream if deep. 1978 Handy (

inform property owners living M s n Kells Creek usually 1979 Channel Escarpment country. around Mackunda Creek on a w runs red. c o what is flowing down the k eek u D Kell reek Cr E 1980 Handy n s C h catchment. n yt G d te Sm 1981 Good a h MOUNT DAVY N C g Water can back up and 290 M A r i There is no power network west e r R 1982 Handy n e B spill over into this area MOUNT HOLBERTON to Mayne River of the Diaman�na River so k o Y in t during a big flood. 257 M L 1983 Handy The natural gates here proper�es out here run on n D L W o A generators. These proper�es are t O U 1984 Good are a kilometre wide. at risk of running out of fuel in R T R These gates constrict during prolonged flood events. W E M V c ek 1985 Handy Pot Jostler Creek comes out of - I B re ride C This is hard country. Spring Creek s R water flow and create a lot of hard country and Po y 1986 Handy reek t a A 75mm of rain will g C J N in floods out on Brighton Downs o d I r s p T create a flood. Flooding and runoff in k deeper channels. t 0 1987 Handy S which will grow useful feed. l e e 1 N r A these ranges will e All black soil country 125mm of rain, plus water r C M If there is no water in the A easily lead to scour C 1988 Handy from Milparoo, may create a r I e e around here. D i e and erosion. 3m minor flood and closes the z channels at Winton prior to k 1989 Handy n Diaman�na River Road. Flood waters were up for three e Water mainly flows in k receiving a BoM classified major 1990 Handy days around Brighton Downs in MOUNT MACARTNEY c the channel but breaks a February 2019. They were only 146 M flood, this should lead to a good 1991 Handy out further south. M Rain to the north or up for one day during the 1974 flood at Brighton Downs. 1992 Handy High, fast water runoff M event. north-west of Winton i Usually, an average (handy) flood l will flow into Lake p Constance. e of 3.5-4.5m stays up on Brighton will cause a larger flood. 1993 Handy There are permanent ro 150mm of top soil o Downs for 7-10 days. C 1994 Handy waterholes in this r was lost in this area e kes e La Brighton Downs Winton is in for a larger 1995 Handy during the 2019 k na area. Diaman�na River � W flood event. an There are many flood if more than one h am permanent waterholes 1996 Handy i s i MOUNT EDWARD GRAVES tl D 168 M in this area. creek north-east of town ing to 1997 Handy D s Lake Constance was u n The Mayne River always runs runs. c H

w ek

1998 Handy k MAYNES PEAK red and fast because it comes o

o e r r s full in 2019. C D 154 M The Mayne River and Gum e r off hard country. It blocks up the C

e C e 1999 Good n Creek can produce useful re k e o Diaman�na every 5-10 years. t th k h local flooding. or 2000 Good ig r N B PERCYS PEAK n 2001 Handy - 145 M e MO UNT MARY s r y Mayne Rive W d 2002 Handy There are permanent MOUNT HUNTER 121 M a Lake Billyer on Brighton I n d N 121 M T e Mills Creek 3 Downs fills in most years - O 2003 Handy waterholes in this MOSES CONE N h I generally from Gum Creek Mayne River floods JU g d a 121 M WALLACE PEAK N area. Creek but local flooding from the in the Diaman�na D K u 2004 Good 121 M A y Mayne River can top it up. Na�onal Park. H H R n 2006 Handy O u Good rain at Springvale A n TENT HILL D 195 M Sta�on (Over Spring Creek and Diamantina Lakes a 2007 Handy MUNGEROO KNOBS Nail Creek catchment), holds t 121 M r 2008 Handy up the river all the way back o B p oul n i ) a to Brighton Downs. e t 2009 Good s L v Local rain and the running of o a a n f Boundary Creek fills the g D r 2010 Good y e r a Mitchell grass o surrounding swamps (which t e c h v 2011 Handy s take up a lot of water) and country. e g About 50mm of rain on k n

i helps spread the water onto a pebbly country can lead to Oondooroo Creek 2012 Good L w Mooraberree Sta�on. a o handy local flooding in areas

n fl 2013 Channel Nails C f ree � such as Edkins Creek. k i

n

s

a 2014 Handy y

a m s Creek k

d a n e

i i Edk Middle Creek runs re

2015 Handy 2 C D

( e

l

- fast and is usually d

s d

s i 2016 Good n muddy but can

y M

w

a

o flow clear. d

2017 Handy

D

7 -

2018 Good 5 The Western River catchment MOUNT FAIRVIEW 2019 Good C 243 M is hard country and typically uric Pou 280mm of rain fell in a Cre rtia has very short floods that N ek a Davenport Downs C Winton during r re i e peak for only 1-2 days. k k February 2019 floods. Handy Catchment Tips n Co 50-75mm of rain will provide o rr iki All channels, even those in the hard country, can experience significant sil�ng. THE THREE BROTHERS e C a channel run to Old Cork M re 192 M ek Flood waters during the o Sta�on, or further. t 2000 flood event The level of the Diaman�na River drops 1m between Diaman�na Lakes and Monkira. The river The Western River may retain Warra Creek s reached Elderslie Street. level drops a further 1m from Monkira to Durrie. n water height if the w D k K a ree ew o venport C k a Diaman�na is running in If there are 3-4 runs in the Diaman�na prior to the main water flowing in December, it e rr D re a Businesses in town are C Creek conjunc�on. The Western t MOUNT SQUARE TOP generally will not stop flooding un�l April or later once the catchment is wet. r a MOUNT CUTTIGUREE k 200 M impacted when proper�es o River can also contribute to 160 M o o D b THE SUGAR LOAF A p a are isolated. Li�le floods can make big floods. The li�le floods and local rain fill waterholes and swamps, O r the crea�on of larger floods. 138 M R n e S M pre-wet the ground and channels before the flood waters arrive. This will enable the next flood N e W v O a At Monkira Sta�on: to go and spread further. D T D - Need 3.0m of water before it starts to R - reek O spread out s C Where floods occur in succession, the second flood will travel slower due to vegeta�on that P s Farrar N y - If water holds up for one week, it will give a MOUNT BARRI E a 161 M has grown from the first flood. The second flood will o�en flow clearer, because of the V d handy flood at Monkira & Durrie A vegeta�on filtering more sediment out and slowing water flow. D -4 - If water holds up for three weeks at 4m+, it Farrars Creek runs fast and A W 3 will give a good flood at Monkira, Durrie, mostly muddy. If both R I S h K Pandie Pandie & Cli�on Hills. Farrars Creek and the Flood travel �mes are dependent on many different variables. These include when and where it N

u N Good local rain will O la I Diaman�na run together, it

the water hits the catchment, how wet the catchment was beforehand, whether there is n M ia back up water outside A flood needs to be about 4.0m at A may lead to a good flood. C at Monkira. Monkira for 10 - 14 days to get a U r T vegeta�on in the catchment, recent modifica�ons to the channels and throughout at the e m e flood that spills out of the AD p k O catchment, and water flowing in from other places. a N R d channels at Pandie Pandie. RT i O Mitchell grass b Monkira Carbine Cre U NP oo ek E Outside Country: C The eastern channel of the AV Ancient country. O D re Diaman�na does not run un�l alluvial here. The pastures in the outside country are dominated by deep-rooted perennial grass and e k there is approx. 2.9m at Monkira M perennial browse species, some other perennial and annual herbage species. Addi�onal house. 4m will cut the Kingadurka species may include: Mitchell grasslands; spinifex grass; mulga woodlands; and Gidyea Road on Monkira and produces a T good flood at Monkira. T woodlands. Pasture produc�on in these areas are influenced primarily by local rainfall O e i C receiving an annual rainfall average less than 175mm per year, but is subject to wide varia�on. r r S Mitchell Grasslands: u ROUND MOUNTAIN There will be a good flood from D 155 M Mitchell grasslands are treeless or sparsely �mbered, and occupy cracking clay soils where Mooraberree Sta�on down south if Flood water in this area is o Farrars Creek holds up to 0.8m at the average annual rainfall is between 200-550mm. Average annual rainfall decreased from east t NARRADUNNA HILL backed up from the main flow of 85 M Currawilla Crossing for at least 14 days, to west, but it is s�ll highly variable, affec�ng both pasture yield and composi�on. The the Diaman�na even during a D NT and the Diaman�na is running. This also Floodways carry water during overbank r IAMA INA moderate floods. The dura�on i D Rain on hard country at E includes Roseberth and Pandie Pandie. dominant perennials in these pastures are the desirable Mitchell grasses. Barley Mitchell k V of this backup during the 2019 Lignum grass here Sta�on runs E stage, with floodwater flow cu�ng flood was shorter than normal. n L grass is dominant on pebbly clay soils. gives off a dark colour. the western side of O o Farrar’s Creek. P SQUARE HILL across anabranching channels as the M MOUNT JOHN

Spinifex Pastures: D 113 M M E

A 202 M - N O THREE SISTERS water assumes a more direct down- Spinifex pastures occur either as a naturally open grassland, or as an understorey within T R A 300 M s

E k L FLAT TOP e eucalypt and acacia woodland. Spinifex pastures generally grow in infer�le acid sand, loam or E e y 158 M r stream flow path. C R R C a y MOUNT HENDERSON duplex soils and are present throughout much of Australia’s dry interior. Spinifex pastures A Mithakla people country R O e C n 241 M O d A r D (Indigenous). Ancestral bones BE D o occur in the upper Diaman�na catchment, on residual outcrops around Winton. O A M R have been exposed through R 7 OA Y O HAMILTON BLUFF - erosion and have been O R S 190 M T M O 5 Hard range country can be a major driver of floods in the Diaman�na. L NY reburied. ELLEN HILLS A C T R 113 M N O MOUNT MONTAGIMPA MOUNT COLLINS E S Big floods can start at the top of the Diaman�na River catchment and not just via other creek S 173 M 256 M M IN Remnants of an old Gunna structure P G R (Indigenous structure) and old flat systems that join and feed the lower sec�on of the system. O O L A E D quarry were found here. There is V E evidence that old irriga�on prac�ces Gu�ers (or re�culate channels) Grass fires are common when grass is available. D also took place here. E PIG HILL Flood water in the help distribute floodwaters out R 71 M Y Diaman�na River at Durrie E to Rose Durrie berth a will usually be crystal clear from the main channels. Water moves faster across bare earth and can strips top soil. ys - nd Birdsv da ille Durrie during a second run. 0 LROAD -1 A Betoota The 2019 flood event was a short, sharp, pulsing and intense which did not stay up long a�er 7 EN T LOUIES HILL LOPM reaching its peak. Creeks in the south-eastern part of the catchment also did not run. 77 M E Need local rain to DEV LE MOUNT HAL support a flood here. IL Some recent floods at Durrie: 170 M Roseberth V This region is flooded D S The 2001 flood - ran clear water because A Local rain can keep flood peaks up. MOUNT LEWIS BIRD more o�en than it For Durrie, if the western creeks O 96 M vegeta�on from the 2000 flood had R receives local rainfall. Y filtered out the sediments by the �me run, the water will reach Birdsville R while the river is s�ll rising. This U Diaman�na Lakes water reached Durrie. B General Landscape Knowledge The Flinders, Cooper and the Diaman�na catchment headwaters meet in a rela�vely small area A The Diaman�na gauge provides early The 2004 flood was a really fast flood. It leads to a be�er flood on the R R The volume of rainfall in one area of the catchment does not reflect the whole catchment. These variabili�es can be the difference between no rain and rainfall can flow into any catchment. and Georgina link warning for Roseberth. western side and increases the flood A Birdsville went from 0-2.7m at Durrie in 8hrs and up here. ran hot water. However, the 2004 flood value by about 25%. and damage on one property to flooding and extensive property damage on a neighbouring property that may have been 20-30km apart. The eastern part of the catchment from Elderslie will be slowed down if there is water in SQUARETOP HILL was very good upstream at Brighton MOUNT OAKES 77 M 159 M Wokingham Creek and the Diaman�na River. Downs. Cow vine and other herbages o�en dominate occasionally flooded plains following summer floods in the Channel Country. Good feed is made even be�er when local rains follow flooding. Rains alone grow li�le, if any feed because the heavy clay soils of the Channel Country are so thirsty. Loca�on and characteris�cs of waterholes are very site specific and this influences the water flow and behaviour. All creeks were running clear flowing the 2019 flood event. A more significant flood at Brighton Downs, such as the 2000 flood event, will register 5m at Diaman�na Lakes. Water will o�en disappear into sand dunes and run quickly off the hard country. There is a cycle of flood to fodder to fire in this country. Grass seeds will lie dormant and are self-regenera�ng a�er a flood event. If there is no rain, there will be no Mitchell grass. Gidgee grass grows near water courses and Mulga grows in the harder country. Diaman�na River Floodplain soil is self-mulching. It cracks open and crumbles, before falling back inside the cracks created. These cracks are deep and as the flood Flood waters receding a�er a major (Handy) flood in the Diaman�na arrives, the cracks will close up while keeping the soil moist. Floodwater which disappear into these cracks will re-emerge up to 300m downstream. between Durrie and Monkira. Note the high areas that flooded only Floodplains can be covered by a single sheet of floodwater spread as wide as 70km during major floods. during a really good flood. Catchment Bioregions Braided gu�ers within Creeks and tributaries provide a the green zone. sizeable input into the system. Combo waterhole at Kynuna is one Legend Gu�ers (or re�culate channels) help of the few permanent waterholes in distribute floodwaters out from the the upper catchment. Tidal flats and beaches Flood related informa�on main channels.

Coastal dunes Agriculture/Feed informa�on

Alluvial river and creek flats Vegeta�on related informa�on General Risk Awareness Informa�on Tips for Graziers Q Fever concerns arose from the 2019 flood event and led to vaccina�ng the community. Vaccina�on facili�es were set up on the side of the road. Pinpoint between loca�ons Clay plains Rain recorded over 12 days during the 2019 flood event was equal to the rain recorded over a month during the 1974 flood event. Feral pigs are a problem as they are a�racted to permanent waterholes. They will usually erode and degrade the soil surrounding these waterholes. Community related informa�on Old loamy and sandy plains Flood water during the 2019 event came up a lot faster in certain areas than it has done so before. Water behaviour related informa�on Inland dunefields There are many variables which may contribute to a flood event before the catchment receives heavy rain. E.g. Prior to the 2019 flood event, the A handy flood is made be�er if there is local rain a�er the flood; a lot more feed will grow. ground was already wet, there was no sun, and the wind was blowing non-stop. Ironstone jump-ups Fire related informa�on A winter flood does not grow as much feed as a summer flood and the feed does not last as long, but it usually has higher protein and lasts over the There was significant ca�le loss north of Winton during the 2019 flood event. All white stock was also lost throughout the catchment, whereas full winter un�l hot dry winds start in early summer. Water needs to hold up at a decent (gauge) height for a sustained period of �me to create a Basalt plains and hills Infrastructure related informa�on darker coloured stock (such as Bri�sh breeds) suffered lower losses. ‘good’ flood. This helps douse more country and grow more feed. Less frequently flooded ridges provide refuge and feed during flooding events. Drought can be observed to increase sil�ng and scouring during future flood events. Sil�ng is par�cularly more evident during more intense flood Undula�ng country on fine grained Climate related informa�on Agriculture prac�ces influence the sediment in waterholes and the water infiltra�on in the area. Sediment can also impact groundwater infiltra�on. sedimentary rocks events as rainfall and flow behaviour scours watercourses and topsoil. Ca�le and water are also mainly responsible for the spread of weeds and seeds.

Consolidated sediments Road and Transport related informa�on Isolated proper�es may have to wait several days or weeks before having access to a sealed road in some cases. Grasshopper plagues o�en occur a�er floods to feed on new growth. They generally come from north of the catchment and travel south. Fires in spinifex, sandhill country can be blown by the wind and jump from the top of one sandhill to another. Some�mes fires will jump between Sandstone ranges Severe weather related weather sandhills without burning in between. Jump-ups and sandstone ridges may contain iron stone and similar metals that can a�ract lightning and Ca�le will be fat a�er a winter flood, but will have so� hides and hooves. They will need to be put on the outside country to harden them up before start fires. Mitchell grass must be at least 300mm to burn to reduce fuel load. Hills and lowlands on metamorphic rocks Property related informa�on sale. Areas in the lower Diaman�na experience what is known as ‘dry flooding’. The local area experiences a flood with no rain, as large volumes of Ca�le will not graze in flood waters because the flies and sandflies are overwhelming. As the waters recede, ca�le will move into the waters to Hills and lowlands on grani�c rocks Topography related informa�on floodwater move down the catchment from rainfall occurring upstream. Flood waters from upstream may travel hundreds of kilometres feed. If the ca�le have a diet of only waterweeds then they can some�mes lose their hair. Ca�le will not normally feed in just flooded areas, they downstream before the water evaporates, soaks into the floodplain soils or is diverted into swamps and lakes. Dry flooding is vital for the economy will s�ll feed in the sand dunes. Manual Gauge Ac�ve spring in these areas. Areas like this experience floods more than they experience rain. Compacted and wet blacksoil can limit tree matura�on and is generally a poorer quality soil that can cause cracks o�en metres deep. Blacksoil Automa�c Gauge may also inhibit plant and root growth, foster drier soils and expose tree roots. Floodplain soils are moderately fer�le, but limited by the high Inac�ve spring clay content, cracking and high alkalinity.

Large and Swamp gu�ers moderate sized redistribu�ng channels distribute floodwater at flood Less frequently flooded Legend the water during ridges provide refuge and Major Watercourse Brigalow Belt Mitchell Grass Einasleigh stage. Downs Uplands ini�al flooding. feed during flooding. Mulga Lands Produced by Queensland Government, drawn from informa�on authored by David Phelps, Ben Lynes, Kirsten Forrest, Peter Towns Channel Country Connelly & Darrell Horrocks September 2006. Original map available from David Phelps. Boundary Desert Uplands Northwest Highlands Disclaimer: While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Department of Environment and Science, Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Desert Channels Queensland, Geoscience Australia, Bureau of Meteorology, NR&W, CSIRO, UQ nor their representa�ves, make no representa�ons or warran�es about its accuracy, liability, incompleteness or suitability for any par�cular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limita�on, liability or negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequen�al damage) and costs which might be incurred as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. This map is not to be resold or re-made as part of a commercial product.