SAFETY ALERT! Flooding
SAFETY ALERT! Flooding
Climate change and unpredictable weather patterns make managing our precious water resource even more critical. From drought resilience to flood management, we undertake comprehensive modelling so we can be prepared.
Awoonga Dam’s story reflects this: from its lowest recorded level of just 7.44% capacity in 2003 during a time of drought to over 193% capacity in 2013 after a one-in-2000 year rainfall event, our system has been built and refined to handle extremes.
And we’re always thinking about the future of water to ensure our water security for generations to come.
That’s why we are building the Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline, which will provide a second source of water for the region and greater water security.
We hold regular scenario testing to ensure our team are ready to respond in the event of a flood or extreme weather event.
GAWB also carries out hydraulic model testing to see how Awoonga Dam will respond in the event of a major flood event. You can see the footage here.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t always rain over our catchment. That’s why we have to be prepared for periods of drought.
Our drought response is triggered by predicted timeframes and demand forecasts, not dam capacity.
The table below outlines the trigger alert for each stage:
Restriction | Trigger Alert |
Low Supply Alert | 5 years (60 months) reliable water supply |
Level 1 Supply Restriction | 4 years (48 months) reliable water supply |
Level 2 Supply Restriction | 3 years (36 months) reliable water supply |
Level 3 Supply Restriction | 2 years (24 months) reliable water supply |
Level 4 Supply Restriction | 1 year (12 months) reliable water supply |
Emergency Supply Restrictions | When dead storage is reached Dead storage is the water remaining in Awoonga Dam which can’t be accessed without the use of temporary pumps. |
Currently, GAWB is not in any of the above stages and anticipates having more than five years of reliable water supply available.
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The Gladstone Area Water Board proudly acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land and water on which we operate. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the ongoing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the land and water on which we rely.
