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Showing posts with label Floods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Floods. Show all posts
Saturday, May 11, 2013
400 ppm of Carbon Dioxide - a Milestone reached - in shame.
Two remote, low-lying Pacific islands, Vanuatu and Tonga, rank first and second as worst placed on the World Risk Index as they did last year, based on a matrix of four criteria. These measure what dangers a nation faces, for example, through geology or weather, the probability it will suffer damaging events, the nation's capacity or incapacity to cope, and what resources, if any, it has to adapt after being hit."
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Carrington Falls running properly again
The
people of Robertson are very pleased to see the rivers and creeks
running again, and to hear the Frogs croaking and the Crickets and birds
singing their little hearts out.
Further to my post about Carrington Falls being nearly bone dry (and that was just last week), I decided to check it today.
You will not be surprised to know I got 177mm of rain, (or 6.97 inches) of rain over the last 3 days. Most fell on Sunday afternoon and evening. But I had other things to do on Monday and Tuesday - besides it was raining intermittently anyway - so I wanted to get the full extent of the "rainfall event".
The level of flow in the river was obviously higher on Monday, as a friend of min, Kellie, posted a short video on Facebook today of the Kangaroo River at the Bridge, filmed on Monday afternoon.
You can view this if you have a Facebook account.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4336686216971
Either way, this is not a "High" levels of flow, by any measure. That fact can be attributed to how dry the region has been over the last 6 months, and hence, the amount of water the soil and rock beds can absorb. I have observed previously, that we got about 12 inches of rain in June 2007, followed by a further 6 inches (from memory), and it was the smaller, subsequent rainfall event which triggered a flood in the Nepean River. Point is, the first lot of good rain filled the minute gaps in the soil and rocks, and only then would our local soil conditions produce enough "run-off" to cause a flood.
That is not the case everywhere in Australia - as we can see this last week.
I know, for example that much smaller "rainfall events" around Canberra and Queanbeyan can produce flash floods. But their soils are mostly old decomposed granite - not the porous basalt soils of Robertson.
Further to my post about Carrington Falls being nearly bone dry (and that was just last week), I decided to check it today.
You will not be surprised to know I got 177mm of rain, (or 6.97 inches) of rain over the last 3 days. Most fell on Sunday afternoon and evening. But I had other things to do on Monday and Tuesday - besides it was raining intermittently anyway - so I wanted to get the full extent of the "rainfall event".
 | |
| Carrington Falls Wednesday 30 Jan Flowing as it normally does. |
Last week, I showed the rock bar- all but dry.
Below is the same view today.
Below is the same view today.
 |
| This is the "Old Ford" It was used by the local Timber cutters as their crossing point, before the Bridge was built. Contrast with the "dry rock bar" image linked above. |
You can view this if you have a Facebook account.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4336686216971
Either way, this is not a "High" levels of flow, by any measure. That fact can be attributed to how dry the region has been over the last 6 months, and hence, the amount of water the soil and rock beds can absorb. I have observed previously, that we got about 12 inches of rain in June 2007, followed by a further 6 inches (from memory), and it was the smaller, subsequent rainfall event which triggered a flood in the Nepean River. Point is, the first lot of good rain filled the minute gaps in the soil and rocks, and only then would our local soil conditions produce enough "run-off" to cause a flood.
That is not the case everywhere in Australia - as we can see this last week.
I know, for example that much smaller "rainfall events" around Canberra and Queanbeyan can produce flash floods. But their soils are mostly old decomposed granite - not the porous basalt soils of Robertson.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Baywatch Armatree Video
A bunch of Blokes at Armatree, NSW (north-west of Gilgandra) have decided to "take the piss" in a good-hearted Aussie way. Armatree is on the flooded Castlereagh River. These guys' crops might well be ruined. Certainly their cattle will have been in trouble, and needed to be moved to higher ground (if there is any such thing around). Fences need fixing, etc, etc.
But in the face of adversity they make a spoof Baywatch video.
Good for them I say.
But in the face of adversity they make a spoof Baywatch video.
Good for them I say.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
More about the South Coast rains and damage
Mick from "Sandy Straits and Beyond" asked me today if the rains I had talked about was what had been now declared a Natural Disaster.
In short, yes.
I did make a somewhat flippant comment that the local Member is also the Minister for Emergency Services. In fact. the Minister, Steve Whan MLA, is the Member for Monaro, not the Member for Bega. His father Bob Whan,was the former Federal Member for Eden-Monaro. But Steve Whan is not responsible for this area. That should be clarified.
The Canberra Times had a story today on a road collapse at Tilba, just south from Narooma, caused by this storm event.
Floodwaters washed out the Tilba-Punkalla road yesterday
Photo: BRUCE COULSON
The main point I was trying to make in the comments earlier was that the ABC radio today reported that the Minister's declaration was made on the basis that there was some $4 million worth of road and other infrastructure damage.
Do you realise how $4 million worth of road repairs would buy? It would barely amount to the rebuilding of a single road bridge. No doubt the true costs of this storm will far exceed the original estimates. But I keep repeating, this is a small flood event, relative to large floods.
What the Bureau of Meteorology was at pains to explain today was that the large rivers in the region (Deua River - at Merimbula, Tuross River - at Tuross Lake and Bega River - at Bega) have been "swollen", but not in full flood. So it is actually the little creeks and rivers which have risen and blocked roads and done some minor damage. I include the road washaway above in this category, even though it is potentially fatal for motorists. It is just a little stream, grown large, briefly.
This storm event needs to be put in context. In 1971 the Bega River (which has a large*** catchment) flooded, and it took out a relatively new bridge near the River mouth. It took about 2 years to replace. People at Tathra had to drive an extra 40 Kms around the river for about two years. Today there is a very large, high clearance bridge across the Bega River, just near the mouth - and the locals are very proud of it. For good reason.
This flooding event is nothing like that.
Tyto Tony at Ingham lived through worse than this three times a year ago.
Footnotes:
"The highest flood on record occurred in February 1971. Up to 900 mm of rain fell in 15 days over the catchments of the Bega and Bemboka Rivers. ...
"An anecdotal record of flooding in the Bega Valley has been compiled by Smith (1978) who recorded a total of 39 floods in the valley during the period 1851 to 1978."
Source: Bega River Estuary - Data Review
*** The Bega Valley is a "large catchment" relative to most other NSW coastal catchments. Of course, the inland catchments are far, far greater in area. The coastal catchments however, trap large amounts of rain because of the presence of the Great Dividing Range, relatively close to the Pacific Ocean, especially when triggered by post-cyclonic storms, such as this one. That means they are prone to sudden and quite dramatic flood events. The Hunter River (at Maitland), the Clarence (at Grafton and below) and the Wilsons River (at Lismore) are probably the most flood prone of these coastal NSW rivers.
In short, yes.
I did make a somewhat flippant comment that the local Member is also the Minister for Emergency Services. In fact. the Minister, Steve Whan MLA, is the Member for Monaro, not the Member for Bega. His father Bob Whan,was the former Federal Member for Eden-Monaro. But Steve Whan is not responsible for this area. That should be clarified.
The Canberra Times had a story today on a road collapse at Tilba, just south from Narooma, caused by this storm event.
Floodwaters washed out the Tilba-Punkalla road yesterday Photo: BRUCE COULSON
I acknowledge that this is a dramatic road collapse, and I recall a similar event near Gosford that resulted in the death of five members of a family caught up in floodwaters. In no way do I wish to minimise the risk of such an event, but the danger lies in the sudden and unpredictable event of the road collapse, not the magnitude of the storm event. See Footnote below.
The main point I was trying to make in the comments earlier was that the ABC radio today reported that the Minister's declaration was made on the basis that there was some $4 million worth of road and other infrastructure damage.
Do you realise how $4 million worth of road repairs would buy? It would barely amount to the rebuilding of a single road bridge. No doubt the true costs of this storm will far exceed the original estimates. But I keep repeating, this is a small flood event, relative to large floods.
What the Bureau of Meteorology was at pains to explain today was that the large rivers in the region (Deua River - at Merimbula, Tuross River - at Tuross Lake and Bega River - at Bega) have been "swollen", but not in full flood. So it is actually the little creeks and rivers which have risen and blocked roads and done some minor damage. I include the road washaway above in this category, even though it is potentially fatal for motorists. It is just a little stream, grown large, briefly.
This storm event needs to be put in context. In 1971 the Bega River (which has a large*** catchment) flooded, and it took out a relatively new bridge near the River mouth. It took about 2 years to replace. People at Tathra had to drive an extra 40 Kms around the river for about two years. Today there is a very large, high clearance bridge across the Bega River, just near the mouth - and the locals are very proud of it. For good reason.
This flooding event is nothing like that.
Tyto Tony at Ingham lived through worse than this three times a year ago.
Footnotes:
"The highest flood on record occurred in February 1971. Up to 900 mm of rain fell in 15 days over the catchments of the Bega and Bemboka Rivers. ...
"An anecdotal record of flooding in the Bega Valley has been compiled by Smith (1978) who recorded a total of 39 floods in the valley during the period 1851 to 1978."
Source: Bega River Estuary - Data Review
*** The Bega Valley is a "large catchment" relative to most other NSW coastal catchments. Of course, the inland catchments are far, far greater in area. The coastal catchments however, trap large amounts of rain because of the presence of the Great Dividing Range, relatively close to the Pacific Ocean, especially when triggered by post-cyclonic storms, such as this one. That means they are prone to sudden and quite dramatic flood events. The Hunter River (at Maitland), the Clarence (at Grafton and below) and the Wilsons River (at Lismore) are probably the most flood prone of these coastal NSW rivers.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
A damp but pleasant Christmas
The clouds clung close to the hills of Robertson on Christmas Day and continued to do so today ("Boxing Day").
I have re-lit the heaters (yes, even the little gas heater, in the lounge room, as well as the electric oil-filled column heater in the bedroom). So much for Copenhagen. I mostly use the heaters to help keep the house dry, especially as Zoe is coming up tomorrow. Damp-induced mold is a perennial problem in houses in Robertson. So much for the Summer Solstice.
What has driven this weather is the tail end of Cyclone Laurence, which lashed the north-west coast of Australia - crossing the coastline in "The Kimberley". It has tracked across Western Australia, dumping great volumes of rain in the Pilbara, crossing into northern South Australia and the Northern Territory, and entering western NSW, where it has produced heavy, but very useful rain in the western zone, and the north-west districts, and even down as far as Mudgee, and Young.
This pattern of rain is not unusual, just uncommon.
In fact it is rain like this which is the lifeblood of the so-called Foodbowl of Australia (the Murray-Darling Basin), especially, in this case the Northern Basin of the Murray-Darling river system.
This one has started further south and west than many, and has continued to track somewhat further south than normal.
Rain Depression which started as Cyclone Laurence.
It is the intense low south of Tasmania which has brought
the cold weather to Robertson.
The moist weather from the ex-cyclone Laurence
ended up just further west.
Christmas Day, 5:00 am EDT
Dumping rain in central western NSW.
The remains of the "weather system" will track north from now on.
Lets hope we get a couple more of these cyclonic "washes" over this coming season. Another dump coming down from the Gulf of Carpentaria would match this rainfall nicely, to help central Queensland and the north-western tributaries of the Darling River, especially the Culgoa and Paroo Rivers.
Of course, we know that such cyclones are capable of causing immense damage and loss of life, but this cyclone, although rated at a Category 5 (as severe as Cyclone Tracy) managed to drift across largely unpopulated areas, and caused no loss of life.
By contrast, the most famous of Australia's cyclones, Cyclone Tracy "killed 71 people, caused $837 million in damage (1974 AUD) and destroyed more than 70 percent of Darwin's buildings, including 80 percent of houses. Tracy left homeless more than 20,000 out of the 49,000 inhabitants of the city prior to landfall and required the evacuation of over 30,000 people." Source: Wikipedia > Cyclone Tracy.
Nobody wants another one like that!
I have re-lit the heaters (yes, even the little gas heater, in the lounge room, as well as the electric oil-filled column heater in the bedroom). So much for Copenhagen. I mostly use the heaters to help keep the house dry, especially as Zoe is coming up tomorrow. Damp-induced mold is a perennial problem in houses in Robertson. So much for the Summer Solstice.What has driven this weather is the tail end of Cyclone Laurence, which lashed the north-west coast of Australia - crossing the coastline in "The Kimberley". It has tracked across Western Australia, dumping great volumes of rain in the Pilbara, crossing into northern South Australia and the Northern Territory, and entering western NSW, where it has produced heavy, but very useful rain in the western zone, and the north-west districts, and even down as far as Mudgee, and Young.
This pattern of rain is not unusual, just uncommon.
In fact it is rain like this which is the lifeblood of the so-called Foodbowl of Australia (the Murray-Darling Basin), especially, in this case the Northern Basin of the Murray-Darling river system.
This one has started further south and west than many, and has continued to track somewhat further south than normal.
Rain Depression which started as Cyclone Laurence.It is the intense low south of Tasmania which has brought
the cold weather to Robertson.
The moist weather from the ex-cyclone Laurence
ended up just further west.
Christmas Day, 5:00 am EDTDumping rain in central western NSW.
The remains of the "weather system" will track north from now on.
Lets hope we get a couple more of these cyclonic "washes" over this coming season. Another dump coming down from the Gulf of Carpentaria would match this rainfall nicely, to help central Queensland and the north-western tributaries of the Darling River, especially the Culgoa and Paroo Rivers.
Of course, we know that such cyclones are capable of causing immense damage and loss of life, but this cyclone, although rated at a Category 5 (as severe as Cyclone Tracy) managed to drift across largely unpopulated areas, and caused no loss of life.
By contrast, the most famous of Australia's cyclones, Cyclone Tracy "killed 71 people, caused $837 million in damage (1974 AUD) and destroyed more than 70 percent of Darwin's buildings, including 80 percent of houses. Tracy left homeless more than 20,000 out of the 49,000 inhabitants of the city prior to landfall and required the evacuation of over 30,000 people." Source: Wikipedia > Cyclone Tracy.
Nobody wants another one like that!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Water arrives in Lake Eyre - check your Pelicans.
Have you missed your local Pelicans yet? You may recall that I predicted two weeks ago that the Pelicans would arrive in Lake Eyre, with the flood-waters coming down from Queensland. I suggested that people, especially our Gippsland colleagues, ought observe their Pelicans, to see if they start to disappear. Well, today's press tells me that the waters have now arrived there - and so have the Pelicans.
(Photo: Weekend Australian 28.2.09)These Pelicans were heading westwards. Now the most obvious explanation was that they were simply circling to gain height to cross over the towering sandstone cliffs of the Illawarra escarpment, in order to cross then glide down to the nearby Wingecarribee Reservoir. However, it is entirely possible that they were following an instinct which we know about, but barely begin to comprehend - to fly a vast distance to Lake Eyre, to breed while the famous dry salt Lake Eyre is in flood.
How do the Pelicans of the east coast know when to fly west to Lake Eyre? Perhaps they had read the front page of the Weekend Australian today. "Waters give lift to nature's Eyre force" (pathetic pun, by the way, dearest Sub-Editor of the Australian).- "Most of the water that began coursing into Lake Eyre this week is from the Georgina River, which rises near Mount Isa in north Queensland and is in fierce flood. The Diamantina, further to the east, is not flowing as heavily; a third river draining to the lake, the Cooper, has not run into it since 1990."
- "The birds are already in a feeding frenzy. Australian pelicans, silver gulls and gull-billed terns have flocked from up to 2000km away to dip into the teeming waters." (Source: "The Australian"28 February 2009 - story by Jamie Walker)
I don't know if Pelicans have a barometric sensor system, which tells them there has been a massive depression (Low Pressure System) in northern Queensland. Whatever it is, Pelicans are undoubtedly moving (from somewhere) to Lake Eyre, to feast on the burst of life which follows a flood there.They feed, then they breed, as quickly as possible. They have to race against time, as the slow ones end up losing their chicks to starvation, if they are not fully fledged by the time the waters of Lake Eyre dry up again. It is a risky strategy, but then again, this is part of Australia's natural "boom and bust" or "flood and drought" cycle. It is all totally natural, and has been played out for millions of years.
Please let me know if you are suddenly not seeing Pelicans, where you would expect to see them.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Its Raining in Robertson
It is raining in Robertson. This is not very unusual, except for this season.
We have been stuck between the wet weather of points further north (in NSW), and of course, the far distant downpours of Ingham, etc - and the dry, dessicating and destructive weather of Victoria. Normally, Robertson has its highest rainfall of the year in February (with March a close second).
My Blogging colleague, David of "Focus on Nature" has written about just this problem, recently.
Until the last few days, there has been little but mist. Now Robertson has remembered how to rain again. The locals are greatly relieved.
Rainfall last 7 days:
1.0mm; 4.0mm; 3.0mm; 10.0mm; 8.0mm; 2.0mm; 34.0mm
And since 9:00am today, 11:00mm
If anything, these figures are understated. I was told today by a local farmer that he had had "3 inches" in the last few days, and I know he keeps good records, for his wife records the rainfall for him!
Interestingly, there is a lot of rain over central-west Western Australia - coming from a tropical low just off the coast. If that rain washes across the mainland, that would be good news for South Australia. We shall see.
Normally this would not be anything to write about, except for the massive drying off which has occurred in the last 3 weeks. The locals were getting worried.
This map shows the cumulative total rainfall for February 2009. Tyto Tony lives in the purple patch.But look at the white, brown and yellow coloured areas.That's where the rain is needed.
As a side-note, some (but relatively little) of the Queensland rains has fallen west of the Divide, but it was too far north to make any impact on the Murray-Darling System. But Longreach (on the Thomson River) and other points further west, have received some floodwaters from points further north. It is not a huge flood, I would point out. (Click on the map to make the labels legible).
Apology. My label over-printed in red on the map is wrongly spelled - Thomson River (no P).
These waters flow into the Cooper Creek and Diamantina River systems, in far south-western Queensland. This means flooding in the iconic "Channel Country". It is expected to make its way down to Lake Eyre, (in South Australia) in about a month's time.
I would like to put Duncan and Gouldiae on notice to tell us if their Pelicans start to disappear from down in the far south-east of the country. Clearly there were some there this weekend.
We have been stuck between the wet weather of points further north (in NSW), and of course, the far distant downpours of Ingham, etc - and the dry, dessicating and destructive weather of Victoria. Normally, Robertson has its highest rainfall of the year in February (with March a close second).
My Blogging colleague, David of "Focus on Nature" has written about just this problem, recently.
Until the last few days, there has been little but mist. Now Robertson has remembered how to rain again. The locals are greatly relieved.
Rainfall last 7 days:
1.0mm; 4.0mm; 3.0mm; 10.0mm; 8.0mm; 2.0mm; 34.0mm
And since 9:00am today, 11:00mm
If anything, these figures are understated. I was told today by a local farmer that he had had "3 inches" in the last few days, and I know he keeps good records, for his wife records the rainfall for him!
Interestingly, there is a lot of rain over central-west Western Australia - coming from a tropical low just off the coast. If that rain washes across the mainland, that would be good news for South Australia. We shall see.
Normally this would not be anything to write about, except for the massive drying off which has occurred in the last 3 weeks. The locals were getting worried.
This map shows the cumulative total rainfall for February 2009. Tyto Tony lives in the purple patch.But look at the white, brown and yellow coloured areas.That's where the rain is needed.
As a side-note, some (but relatively little) of the Queensland rains has fallen west of the Divide, but it was too far north to make any impact on the Murray-Darling System. But Longreach (on the Thomson River) and other points further west, have received some floodwaters from points further north. It is not a huge flood, I would point out. (Click on the map to make the labels legible).
Apology. My label over-printed in red on the map is wrongly spelled - Thomson River (no P).- "The first floodwaters from western Queensland have arrived at Goyder's Lagoon, in the far north-east corner of South Australia, raising hopes the water will flow into Lake Eyre.
- "Water from the Diamantina and Georgina systems is slowly making its way towards the lake, about 300 kilometres away, but it could be a month before it arrives."
- Source: ABC News Website
I would like to put Duncan and Gouldiae on notice to tell us if their Pelicans start to disappear from down in the far south-east of the country. Clearly there were some there this weekend.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Orchids underwater, Belmore Falls at their best.
Some of the little Wasp Orchids which I wrote about several days ago were under water today. I mentioned that Chiloglottis sylvestris plants were growing in a muddy creekbed. Well today, the creek was "running a banker", and so the plants were literally under water.
OK, not under much water, but it shows how adaptable these little plants must be - for they flower at this time of year, when Robertson, traditionally receives summer storms. So, periodic flooding is something these plants must have evolved with. And yet they grow in the creek beds, unlike the other local related species which have a marked preference for drier locations - well, at least NOT creekbeds.
Here is a close-up of Chiloglottis sylvestris. It shows the greenish neck of the "pseudo-insect", with a dark tip. Unlike the other related species the tip of this gland is not divided or notched. The "gland" is relatively small. It covers less than half of the labellum. The Labellum is held quite high, although it is more-or-less flat. The "clubs" are short, and wide held, and not reflexed. These features contrast with the other two local species, as shown in this (linked) photo, published several days ago.
Robertson has had a bucket-load of rain in the last 3 days. As a result the soils are drenched, and and water is running off - everywhere.
So the edges of the roads are pouring water down the graded gutters, into creeks and the creeks are then flowing steadily. This includes the little creek flowing through the Melaleuca thicket where the little Chiloglottis Orchids are growing.
Overnight the levels of the creeks dropped from their peak. But this morning, there was still a lot of water going over Belmore Falls. The sound of this rushing water was very strong, even from several hundred metres away, across the valley.
Here you can see the top falls and the second level falls at Belmore Falls.
You can see why Belmore Falls is one of the favourite "lookout" points in the Southern Highlands.
OK, not under much water, but it shows how adaptable these little plants must be - for they flower at this time of year, when Robertson, traditionally receives summer storms. So, periodic flooding is something these plants must have evolved with. And yet they grow in the creek beds, unlike the other local related species which have a marked preference for drier locations - well, at least NOT creekbeds.Here is a close-up of Chiloglottis sylvestris. It shows the greenish neck of the "pseudo-insect", with a dark tip. Unlike the other related species the tip of this gland is not divided or notched. The "gland" is relatively small. It covers less than half of the labellum. The Labellum is held quite high, although it is more-or-less flat. The "clubs" are short, and wide held, and not reflexed. These features contrast with the other two local species, as shown in this (linked) photo, published several days ago.
Robertson has had a bucket-load of rain in the last 3 days. As a result the soils are drenched, and and water is running off - everywhere.So the edges of the roads are pouring water down the graded gutters, into creeks and the creeks are then flowing steadily. This includes the little creek flowing through the Melaleuca thicket where the little Chiloglottis Orchids are growing.
Overnight the levels of the creeks dropped from their peak. But this morning, there was still a lot of water going over Belmore Falls. The sound of this rushing water was very strong, even from several hundred metres away, across the valley.
Here you can see the top falls and the second level falls at Belmore Falls.
You can see why Belmore Falls is one of the favourite "lookout" points in the Southern Highlands.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Kangaloon Aquifer pumping halted - at present
Idle Pump Outlet, reveals
the amount of iron
contamination left by
4 months of pumping.
The SCA has temporarily stopped pumping from the Kangaloon Aquifer. They did this last last Wednesday 20 June 2007. We have not commented on this up until now, as we did not know quite what the SCA was "up to". Here is a photo taken by a "research assistant", showing pump outlet no longer running. The rust staining is clearly evident. It is iron contamination from the water in the Aquifer.
Robertson has had huge amounts of rain in June (as has most of the Sydney Catchment). In fact we had 318 mm of rain over the long weekend of 9 -11 June. Subsequently, a further 55 mm fell in several hours on 16 June. That rainfall caused the Nepean River to flood (not the earlier larger rainfall event) - because the countryside was saturated by the huge rain of the previous week. So the run-off was immediate.
the amount of iron
contamination left by
4 months of pumping.
The SCA has temporarily stopped pumping from the Kangaloon Aquifer. They did this last last Wednesday 20 June 2007. We have not commented on this up until now, as we did not know quite what the SCA was "up to". Here is a photo taken by a "research assistant", showing pump outlet no longer running. The rust staining is clearly evident. It is iron contamination from the water in the Aquifer. We have now heard that the SCA responded to a question from a journalist, with advice that they have
What a crock ...???
First day of pumping.
What a crock ...???
First day of pumping.
The reality is that the Nepean Dam is full, (confirmed by SCA's Bulk Water Supply website reports). Therefore, to continue to pump water down the Nepean River would be to waste precious Groundwater.
The Nepean River was in flood over the weekend of 16, 17 June 2007, but the SCA was still pumping water from the Kangaloon Aquifer.
Nepean River running high,
after the flood peak had passed.
Bernard Eddy protested this scandalous waste, directly to the SCA's Bulk Water Manager, Mr Ian Tanner. He also raised this scandalous waste of precious water in public (via radio in Sydney and the Illawarra and Southern Highlands) on Monday 18 January. Finally they stopped the pumping on the Wednesday, (20 June).
For them to claim that they have stopped pumping "to monitor how the Kangaloon Aquifer recharges" is purely Public Relations "spin". As I mentioned above, to use the vernacular: What a crock....???
David Thompson, of the Save Water Alliance committee, has spoken (in the last few days) with the SCA and has been told that the Aquifer is recharging fast. This is hardly surprising, given that they have been pumping along the coarse fractured zone known as the Mt Murray monocline (or fault). Everyone acknowledges that these coarse fracture zones would likely recharge much more readily than Aquifer zones under the main sandstone plateau.
Let us not forget that the whole testing program was held off deliberately by the SCA until after the major rainfall event in February. John Ross (Project Manager) and Graeme Head (CEO of the SCA) told Bernard Eddy and myself, at a site meeting in January, that they were hoping to get a "rainfall event". That event happened over 10 and 11 February, with some 322 mm of rain in 36 hours. Within days they had written to the Federal Environment Department proposing that they commence "test pumping" (letters of 20 and 22 February from Mr Tony Collins).
We argued at the time that testing in such extreme circumstances would not be representative of a borefield designed to operate as a water supply system "in drought conditions".
Nepean River
Robertson has had huge amounts of rain in June (as has most of the Sydney Catchment). In fact we had 318 mm of rain over the long weekend of 9 -11 June. Subsequently, a further 55 mm fell in several hours on 16 June. That rainfall caused the Nepean River to flood (not the earlier larger rainfall event) - because the countryside was saturated by the huge rain of the previous week. So the run-off was immediate.We have had subsequent rain. The point is, we are now approaching a record rainfall event, the last such rainfall was in 1950 (a record year).
It would be totally non-sensical for the SCA to use the rainfall events of this year as a gauge of anything which might tell you about how "safe" it is to pump from the Kangaloon Aquifer, under severe drought conditions.
Let us not forget that the whole project is known by the SCA as: "Groundwater - Investigations for drought water supply".
If the SCA could guarantee to get two "one in ten year" rainfall events, as we have had this season, then, hardly anyone would object to limited pumping of the Kangaloon Aquifer. But, to use this year's rainfall events (and any recharge figures they might produce as a result) as justification for pumping to be "safe" would be totally meaningless.
Accordingly, in accordance with their management of the Upper Nepean Borefield project, so far, I expect that they will make exactly such a claim in the near future.
If the SCA could guarantee to get two "one in ten year" rainfall events, as we have had this season, then, hardly anyone would object to limited pumping of the Kangaloon Aquifer. But, to use this year's rainfall events (and any recharge figures they might produce as a result) as justification for pumping to be "safe" would be totally meaningless.
Accordingly, in accordance with their management of the Upper Nepean Borefield project, so far, I expect that they will make exactly such a claim in the near future.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Butler's Swamp - one mystery solved
The hills of Kangaloon have been oozing water, like never before. Robertson has apparently had its wettest June since 1950 (as has Sydney, too).
The flow from
Butler's Swamp.
A few inches deep,
and one can step over it.
As a result of all that rain, Butler's Swamp was flowing water from its lowest point, following just a "top-up" of a mere 5 mm of rain the day before. This sedge-grass swamp, over a peat base, fills to capacity, when everything is saturated, and then, very, very occasionally, it will overflow its reservoir, and water flows out through the sedge grasses.
The photo shows that we are actually beyond the peat base of Butler's Swamp at this point, for in you enlarge the photo you can see quartz pebbles in the base of this "stream" - sure indication that we are over sandstone, not a peat base. But the area is wet enough from soakage through the soil, to support classic swamp plants.
When the overflow runs out of the shrubbery, it crosses across the black soil area which the SCA is using as an access track (beside Tourist Road).
You can tell by looking at the shallow depression in the track, that this is not a regular stream, just a brief "overflow", for otherwise the track would be having to jump over a small gully. But no, not at his point, beside the pipeline - there is just a shallow depression, which the contractors have spanned with an informal arch of the pipeline, supported by a couple of offcut pieces of pipe. The track is normally dry, and cars have been known to drive over where this "stream" is flowing - without there being any need for a "creek-crossing".
On Sunday, there was a tiny flow, a mere trickle of water, flowing out across these tracks, and down beside the road. It was this small flow of water which I noticed, and which I traced back to its source. Sure enough, Butler's Swamp was flowing.
From a botanical point of view, you can tell from the little low-growing Grevillea (the dark green plant through which the stream is flowing) that this is not a permanent waterway. This Grevillea is a typical plant of the dry Sydney Sandstone habitat. It is NOT a water plant. The Lomandra rushes (thin strappy-leafed plants) are plants of damp areas, but the Grevillea is definitely not, as any home gardener will attest - they hate wet feet.
So, this photo is taken on the margin of sandstone soil and wetter soil - hence both types of vegetation growing within a single camera frame.
The flow from
Butler's Swamp.
A few inches deep,
and one can step over it.
As a result of all that rain, Butler's Swamp was flowing water from its lowest point, following just a "top-up" of a mere 5 mm of rain the day before. This sedge-grass swamp, over a peat base, fills to capacity, when everything is saturated, and then, very, very occasionally, it will overflow its reservoir, and water flows out through the sedge grasses.The photo shows that we are actually beyond the peat base of Butler's Swamp at this point, for in you enlarge the photo you can see quartz pebbles in the base of this "stream" - sure indication that we are over sandstone, not a peat base. But the area is wet enough from soakage through the soil, to support classic swamp plants.
When the overflow runs out of the shrubbery, it crosses across the black soil area which the SCA is using as an access track (beside Tourist Road).You can tell by looking at the shallow depression in the track, that this is not a regular stream, just a brief "overflow", for otherwise the track would be having to jump over a small gully. But no, not at his point, beside the pipeline - there is just a shallow depression, which the contractors have spanned with an informal arch of the pipeline, supported by a couple of offcut pieces of pipe. The track is normally dry, and cars have been known to drive over where this "stream" is flowing - without there being any need for a "creek-crossing".
On Sunday, there was a tiny flow, a mere trickle of water, flowing out across these tracks, and down beside the road. It was this small flow of water which I noticed, and which I traced back to its source. Sure enough, Butler's Swamp was flowing.
From a botanical point of view, you can tell from the little low-growing Grevillea (the dark green plant through which the stream is flowing) that this is not a permanent waterway. This Grevillea is a typical plant of the dry Sydney Sandstone habitat. It is NOT a water plant. The Lomandra rushes (thin strappy-leafed plants) are plants of damp areas, but the Grevillea is definitely not, as any home gardener will attest - they hate wet feet.So, this photo is taken on the margin of sandstone soil and wetter soil - hence both types of vegetation growing within a single camera frame.
Monday, June 25, 2007
The birth point of the Nepean River.
Fence knocked over
by flood and silted over.
Regular readers will know that the Nepean River has been in flood, as a result of recent heavy rains in Robertson and district.
Here is what the flood did to the SCA's protective fence around their aeration tray, and the outlet point (in the river).
Fence partly upright
Although there has been only a small amount of rain (4 mm and 1.8 mm) recorded in Robertson, over the last two days, the hills are absolutely running with water. The dairy farms along Kirkland Road, in East Kangaloon are muddy, slippery and wet, and and the hills are leaking water. See photo of the same paddock, ten days ago. It was flowing here again, today, but not quite so much.
The floods knocked over the SCA's fence, and silted up around it.
Pipe outlet -
tip under water.
The outlet of the pipe which the SCA normally uses to pump water from the Aquifer is still under water - ten days after the main flood has passed. Click on image to enlarge, to see that the tip is under water. Sorry about the quality of the image. The camera got muddy.
Here is a photo from 26 January, for comparison.
Nepean River -
running fast, but calm
today, after floods.
This is a nice image of the Nepean River, today.
I love this point, for it is exactly the point at which the river is transformed from a creek flowing out of basalt soil, and becomes the true Nepean River, running through sandstone. It will carve huge gorges in the sandstone rock, by the time it reaches Douglas Park, about 60 Km downstream.
That process starts right here, at this point.
This is the birth of the sometimes mighty Nepean River.
by flood and silted over.
Regular readers will know that the Nepean River has been in flood, as a result of recent heavy rains in Robertson and district.Here is what the flood did to the SCA's protective fence around their aeration tray, and the outlet point (in the river).
Fence partly upright
Although there has been only a small amount of rain (4 mm and 1.8 mm) recorded in Robertson, over the last two days, the hills are absolutely running with water. The dairy farms along Kirkland Road, in East Kangaloon are muddy, slippery and wet, and and the hills are leaking water. See photo of the same paddock, ten days ago. It was flowing here again, today, but not quite so much.
The floods knocked over the SCA's fence, and silted up around it.
Pipe outlet -
tip under water.
The outlet of the pipe which the SCA normally uses to pump water from the Aquifer is still under water - ten days after the main flood has passed. Click on image to enlarge, to see that the tip is under water. Sorry about the quality of the image. The camera got muddy.Here is a photo from 26 January, for comparison.
Nepean River -
running fast, but calm
today, after floods.
This is a nice image of the Nepean River, today.I love this point, for it is exactly the point at which the river is transformed from a creek flowing out of basalt soil, and becomes the true Nepean River, running through sandstone. It will carve huge gorges in the sandstone rock, by the time it reaches Douglas Park, about 60 Km downstream.
That process starts right here, at this point.
This is the birth of the sometimes mighty Nepean River.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
SCA Pumping into a flooded river.
The story above was published by Robyn Murray in the Southern Highlands News of 20 June 07.
Here is the background to the story and then a lovely denouement.
This story started on ABC 702 on Monday morning, when Sarah MacDonald interviewed Mr Ian Tanner, the Manager (Bulk Water) for the SCA. Mr Tanner was crowing about the huge amount of water that was flowing into the Warragamba Dam, and the other dams, from natural flows, and also the Shoalhaven Transfers, because the Tallowa Dam was full and overflowing. Bernard Eddy and I were speaking on the phone at the time and we both heard that conversation in the background.
The RTA are worried about the prospect of subsidence which might be caused by Longwall Mining, which is due to commence shortly in the vicinity of the bridge. So they commissioned geotechnical engineers to do a study, which involved taking core samples of the bedrock. Along came the flood, and the drilling rig got flooded, and then tilted over, as may be seen in the attached photo (below).
The gem of this story is the photo (click image to enlarge it) made available by Ms Robin Craig, (typo corrected - DJW) who lives in the Nepean River area (Douglas Park or close-by). I understand that she took the photo from the top of the Douglas Park Bridge, looking down, hence the slightly unusual angle of perception. It is a wonderful photo. I understand that the RTA has since rescued the drilling rig, so, that photo could not be taken today. As photographers always say, never leave home without your camera. Well done - Robin.
The placid Nepean River at
Douglas Park Bridge
30 March 2007.
Bridge Pier visible at right
Douglas Park Bridge
30 March 2007.
Bridge Pier visible at right
Here is the background to the story and then a lovely denouement.This story started on ABC 702 on Monday morning, when Sarah MacDonald interviewed Mr Ian Tanner, the Manager (Bulk Water) for the SCA. Mr Tanner was crowing about the huge amount of water that was flowing into the Warragamba Dam, and the other dams, from natural flows, and also the Shoalhaven Transfers, because the Tallowa Dam was full and overflowing. Bernard Eddy and I were speaking on the phone at the time and we both heard that conversation in the background.
Bernie rang off, and straight away rang Sarah, and was patched through just after the News, at 9:00am. He said, in an excited manner: "You ought get that &%*&% Tanner back on the line, and get him to explain why they are pumping vast quantities of water from the Shoalhaven River into an already flooded Nepean River." Something to that effect, anyway.
Bernie worked the phones that morning, and I got going with a press statement, which is pretty much what Robyn has published (above). What we did not know at the time that the story was being drafted was that there was an RTA drilling rig at Douglas Park bridges (the twin bridges on the way to Sydney which span a huge gorge on the Nepean River). That area is about 60 Km downstream from Doudle's Folly Creek and Glenquarry cut, (at Kangaloon, close to Robertson) where the published photo of the Shoalhaven Transfers at full flow was taken. But it is in the very same river system as the Douglas Park Bridge - over the Nepean River.
Twin bridges over Nepean River
at Douglas Park -
from causeway below.
Twin bridges over Nepean River
at Douglas Park -
from causeway below.
The RTA are worried about the prospect of subsidence which might be caused by Longwall Mining, which is due to commence shortly in the vicinity of the bridge. So they commissioned geotechnical engineers to do a study, which involved taking core samples of the bedrock. Along came the flood, and the drilling rig got flooded, and then tilted over, as may be seen in the attached photo (below).Meanwhile, Bernie was severely criticised by the Manager, Bulk Water for the SCA (Mr Ian Tanner) for spreading "ridiculous stories" about the SCA pumping extra water into a river which was already in flood. (Bernie was phoned by Mr Tanner, who somehow tracked down his Mobile Phone number. Was that just to make the point that he could do that?)
Mr. Tanner denied that the river was in flood, despite the fact that the Bureau of Meteorology website clearly had the Nepean River flood warning posted at the time of the phone call, and the ABC was still carrying regular warning bulletins on the radio. Unfortunately, the Flood Warning Bulletin is no longer available, but it certainly was up there as late as 11:45pm on 18 June 2007. The flooding had been going since Saturday morning 16 June 2007.
RTA drilling rig in flooded
Nepean River
Photo: Ms Robin Craig
Mr. Tanner denied that the river was in flood, despite the fact that the Bureau of Meteorology website clearly had the Nepean River flood warning posted at the time of the phone call, and the ABC was still carrying regular warning bulletins on the radio. Unfortunately, the Flood Warning Bulletin is no longer available, but it certainly was up there as late as 11:45pm on 18 June 2007. The flooding had been going since Saturday morning 16 June 2007.
RTA drilling rig in flooded
Nepean River
Photo: Ms Robin Craig
The gem of this story is the photo (click image to enlarge it) made available by Ms Robin Craig, (typo corrected - DJW) who lives in the Nepean River area (Douglas Park or close-by). I understand that she took the photo from the top of the Douglas Park Bridge, looking down, hence the slightly unusual angle of perception. It is a wonderful photo. I understand that the RTA has since rescued the drilling rig, so, that photo could not be taken today. As photographers always say, never leave home without your camera. Well done - Robin.I understand that Bernie could not resist the temptation to email a copy of the photo to Mr Tanner. Of course. That's Bernie for you!
The sleeper in this story is the issue of longwall mining and subsidence.
If the Douglas Park Bridges do move, can you imagine the outcry which will occur, if they have to be closed?
Apart from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Anzac Bridge, the Westgate Bridge in Melbourne, and the bridge over the Hawkesbury, on the road to Newcastle, this bridge is probably the next most strategic and economically important bridge in Australia (and it might outrank the Hawkesbury Bridge). It is a key bridge in a very strategic position, on the Hume Highway, connecting Sydney with all points south - Southern Highlands, Goulburn and Canberra, and ultimately, Melbourne. It carries a vast amount of commercial and industrial traffic, each and every day.
Do you remember going through Bargo and Picton and up and over the Razorback, in the 60s? Well folks, that is a possibility once again, if Longwall mining is allowed to go ahead. Can you imagine the slow lumbering lines of B-Doubles carrying the huge amount of freight which goes by road, today?
And don't forget that the Inquiry into the Southern Coalfields is specifically precluded from investigating buildings and built structures. So this issue is outside their terms of reference.
I feel as if I am writing a new chapter from Alice in Wonderland.
Now you know why I say this should be filed away under "I told you so". Keep it for future reference.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Shoalhaven Transfers via Glenquarry Cut
In case anyone thought I was kidding about the Shoalhaven Transfers running during a time of flooding in the Nepean River, the photos below, of the water flowing out from the Glenquarry Cut, were taken by my assistant today - Monday, 18 June 2007.
Firstly, to back-track, here is the "Glenquarry Cut" - a wonderfully simple branch, from the side of the Wingecarribee Reservoir, cut through a shallow ridge, and dropping water into the valley of the Glenquarry Creek, then it runs into Doudle's Folly Creek, and then into the Upper Nepean River.
So this simple excavation cuts through an actual "divide" between the Wingecarribee and Wollondilly River catchment, and the Nepean Catchment.
Water is released from below this wall, into a pipeline, which runs about 1.5 Km, down to just below Tourist Road, where it empties into Glenquarry Creek.
This is where a huge amount of water bursts out from the tunnel from the Glenquarry Cut. My assistant reported that the roar of the sound was quite amazing.
Apparently 600 Megalitres per day is discharged through here when the Shoalhaven Transfers are running.
The mouth of the pipeline comes out as a kind of tunnel, and you can see the force with which the water is hitting a baffle behind the "gate", and splashing over.
On the left, you can see the natural creek - Glenquarry Creek, (or "Menzies Creek" as the locals apparently know it). Today, the water levels had lowered to a reasonably mild flow. Over the weekend, it was roaring through here.
However, while this part of the Nepean River system was quiet today, the Nepean River was still subject tonight, (at 6:00pm) to a flood warning at Menangle Bridge, approximately 60 Km down stream.
The question is: How irresponsible is it of the SCA to empty 600 Megalitres per day of water into a flooded river system?
The Bulk Water Manager for the SCA, Mr Ian Tanner, today told Bernard Eddy, of the Save Water Alliance that the flood warning for the Nepean had been lifted.
 |
| Glenquarry Cut and Wingecarribee Reservoir |
 |
| Glenquarry Cut and discharge control |
Water is released from below this wall, into a pipeline, which runs about 1.5 Km, down to just below Tourist Road, where it empties into Glenquarry Creek.
 |
| The discharge point into Doudle's Folly Creek |
Apparently 600 Megalitres per day is discharged through here when the Shoalhaven Transfers are running.
 |
| Tunnel mouth (Click to enlarge) |
On the left, you can see the natural creek - Glenquarry Creek, (or "Menzies Creek" as the locals apparently know it). Today, the water levels had lowered to a reasonably mild flow. Over the weekend, it was roaring through here.
 |
| Glenquarry Creek gently flows along, and suddenly is joined by the mad rush of the Shoalhaven Transfer waters. |
However, while this part of the Nepean River system was quiet today, the Nepean River was still subject tonight, (at 6:00pm) to a flood warning at Menangle Bridge, approximately 60 Km down stream.
The question is: How irresponsible is it of the SCA to empty 600 Megalitres per day of water into a flooded river system?
The Bulk Water Manager for the SCA, Mr Ian Tanner, today told Bernard Eddy, of the Save Water Alliance that the flood warning for the Nepean had been lifted.
- Firstly, that is incorrect. The warning is still in place. (as at 11:45 pm 18 June 2006)
- Secondly, that warning was in place all over the weekend when these rivers were running at a full flood peak. To add water into these already flooded rivers was reckless, if not negligent. Workers had to help clear farm bridges, just down stream from this point, because driftwood was blocking the pipes underneath the low bridges/fords, causing Doudle's Folly Creek to flood over the farm road, creating a dangerous situation. Even today, they were still hauling away branches of dead willow trees, etc.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
SCA wasting precious water
Oxygenation process:
Aquifer water
being pumped out.
What on earth is the SCA thinking?
Today, the Nepean River is in flood. Yet the SCA's contractors, TWS, are pumping precious water from the Kangaloon Aquifer into a river which is already in flood - contrary to the SCA's own protocols.
Worse, the Shoalhaven Transfers are continuing to pour a great volume of water through the pipeline from the Glenquarry Cut into Doudle's Folly Creek.
Flood Debris in Nepean River
above Tourist Road
From the bridge on TOurist Road, you can see that the Nepean River was higher yesterday, at the height of the rains. Flood debris is apparent.
River Flow meter
just poking out of water
Even the lock on the River Flow Meter is draped with grass, indicating it was clearly under water in recent times.
Shoalhaven Transfer water
entering Nepean River System
Meanwhile the ABC is carrying stories that the Nepean River is in flood, near Menangle, so clearly the entire Nepean River system is overloaded.
Why pour precious water, stolen water, Shoalhaven water, into an already over-full Nepean River system?
This water is not free. It costs money to pump it out of Tallawa Dam. It is also precious water - water than cannot be wasted.
Just ask the people of Goulburn what they think of this waste of precious water.
Aquifer water
being pumped out.
What on earth is the SCA thinking?Today, the Nepean River is in flood. Yet the SCA's contractors, TWS, are pumping precious water from the Kangaloon Aquifer into a river which is already in flood - contrary to the SCA's own protocols.
Worse, the Shoalhaven Transfers are continuing to pour a great volume of water through the pipeline from the Glenquarry Cut into Doudle's Folly Creek.
Flood Debris in Nepean River
above Tourist Road
From the bridge on TOurist Road, you can see that the Nepean River was higher yesterday, at the height of the rains. Flood debris is apparent.River Flow meter
just poking out of water
Even the lock on the River Flow Meter is draped with grass, indicating it was clearly under water in recent times.Shoalhaven Transfer water
entering Nepean River System
Meanwhile the ABC is carrying stories that the Nepean River is in flood, near Menangle, so clearly the entire Nepean River system is overloaded. Why pour precious water, stolen water, Shoalhaven water, into an already over-full Nepean River system?
This water is not free. It costs money to pump it out of Tallawa Dam. It is also precious water - water than cannot be wasted.
Just ask the people of Goulburn what they think of this waste of precious water.
*****
But to dump Shoalhaven River water into a flooded Nepean River is not only wasteful, it is also potentially dangerous to people living around the Lower Nepean River.*****
Deliberately raising the level of a River officially in flood is irresponsible, and dangerous.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Rain - enough to drown a few rats
Blocked Gutter
overflowing, causing
water to flow into
CTC driveway
We had a mini-flood at the CTC@Robertson today. Not a real flood like the Hunter River floods, but more water than we wanted.
The CTC is the local "Technology Centre" where I and a bunch of other local people volunteer.
Water in driveway
coming from road
I cannot say how much rain we got today, as the Bureau's reporting system is on the blink (there is no "dot" on the map for Robertson, not today anyway.) I have reported this same fault previously, but today, both the reporting system for both the Caalong St and "Pie Shop" monitoring stations have failed. The Bureau have acknowledged that there is a problem, and have promised to remedy the situation, as the "Pie Shop" meter is a "Flood Alert" station, which is fair enough, given its position beside the Macquarie Rivulet. Water in that stream runs straight over several waterfalls, down Macquarie Pass, and can cause floods in Albion Park.
As a matter of record, Robertson received 104 mm of rain up till 9:00am today. We had 96mm reported for the previous 24 hours, so that is 200mm in total. (Scroll down the Rainfall charts, till you get to the "Lower Shoalhaven" table). Remember that the Bureau's system is not reporting anything for either local station today, and as you can see from these photos it was indeed raining today. These photos were taken between 10:00 am and 11:45 am. When I left, there was water across the road near the School, and down near the railway line crossing on the Illawarra Highway.
I conclude that more rain has fallen today than in either of the previous two days (when the main street of Robbo did not flood). If my estimate is correct, we will have exceeded our February "rainfall event".
This is me, trying to clean up the mud from the back entranceway path. Pretty futile, really, as more rain was falling. Still, I did manage to clear a few blockages, to allow the water to escape more quickly, thus minimising the "backing up" of water.
Thanks to Paula for taking the photo.
I have removed small shrubs which were blocking water from flowing away from the concrete apron for the disabled parking spot.
I will put in a path through the gap in the mini-hedge there, so that it looks OK. But not today! Oh, by the way, I was the "Drowned Rat" in the title, but no doubt there were a few others like me, in Robbo today.
overflowing, causing
water to flow into
CTC driveway
We had a mini-flood at the CTC@Robertson today. Not a real flood like the Hunter River floods, but more water than we wanted.The CTC is the local "Technology Centre" where I and a bunch of other local people volunteer.
Water in driveway
coming from road
I cannot say how much rain we got today, as the Bureau's reporting system is on the blink (there is no "dot" on the map for Robertson, not today anyway.) I have reported this same fault previously, but today, both the reporting system for both the Caalong St and "Pie Shop" monitoring stations have failed. The Bureau have acknowledged that there is a problem, and have promised to remedy the situation, as the "Pie Shop" meter is a "Flood Alert" station, which is fair enough, given its position beside the Macquarie Rivulet. Water in that stream runs straight over several waterfalls, down Macquarie Pass, and can cause floods in Albion Park.
As a matter of record, Robertson received 104 mm of rain up till 9:00am today. We had 96mm reported for the previous 24 hours, so that is 200mm in total. (Scroll down the Rainfall charts, till you get to the "Lower Shoalhaven" table). Remember that the Bureau's system is not reporting anything for either local station today, and as you can see from these photos it was indeed raining today. These photos were taken between 10:00 am and 11:45 am. When I left, there was water across the road near the School, and down near the railway line crossing on the Illawarra Highway.I conclude that more rain has fallen today than in either of the previous two days (when the main street of Robbo did not flood). If my estimate is correct, we will have exceeded our February "rainfall event".
This is me, trying to clean up the mud from the back entranceway path. Pretty futile, really, as more rain was falling. Still, I did manage to clear a few blockages, to allow the water to escape more quickly, thus minimising the "backing up" of water.Thanks to Paula for taking the photo.
I have removed small shrubs which were blocking water from flowing away from the concrete apron for the disabled parking spot.
I will put in a path through the gap in the mini-hedge there, so that it looks OK. But not today! Oh, by the way, I was the "Drowned Rat" in the title, but no doubt there were a few others like me, in Robbo today.
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