REFERENCED DOCUMENT Flood Emergency Management Plan - MCU13/0064

FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM
for the
NOOSA RIVER
This brochure describes the flood warning system operated by the Australian Government, Bureau of Meteorology for the
Noosa River. It includes reference information which will be useful for understanding Flood Warnings and River Height Bulletins
issued by the Bureau's Flood Warning Centre during periods of high rainfall and flooding.




                                                         Contained in this document is information about:
                                                         (Last updated May 2011)

                                                                Flood Risk
                                                                Previous Flooding
                                                                Flood Forecasting
                                                                Local Information
                                                                Noosa River ALERT System
                                                                Flood Warnings and Bulletins
                                                                Interpreting Flood Warnings and River Height
                                                                Bulletins
                                                                Flood Classifications
                                                                Catchment Map




Lake Cootharaba at Boreen Point


Flood Risk

The Noosa River has a catchment area of approximately 1900 square kilometres at its mouth. The Noosa
River flows into Lake Cootharaba and Lake Cooroibah before flowing through Tewantin and out to its mouth at
Noosa Heads. At Noosaville and Tewantin, the 1992 flood of 1.8 metres resulted in twelve homes being
severely flooded. Many others along the Noosa River were surrounded by water which went under high-set
homes and flooded businesses. The damage was not as bad as in 1968 when the Noosa River peaked at two
metres. At Boreen Point, the caravan and camping grounds, the Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club, five houses
and the general store were all flood damaged in the 1992 event. Lake Cootharaba peaked at 3.30 metres and
Lake Cooroibah at 2.55 metres. Both these peaks were greater than those in 1968.