Muswellbrook LGA

Introduction

Denman sits on the Western edge of the Hunter River floodplain. Downstream of Denman is the confluence of the Goulburn and Hunter river. The township receives runoff from a local catchment area that extends from the Denman Levee to a ridgeline, approximately 2km west of the township.

Are you at Risk from floods?

Yes, you are!

Flooding of local creeks can cause short-term isolation, though flooding of the Hunter or Goulburn River(s) can cause prolonged isolation.

Denman has an open-ended levee built in 1988, at a height of 9.2m, to assist in protecting the town from overbank flooding, though the town in its entirety can be isolated during severe events. Backwater flooding may also occur on the southern fringe of the Urban area. Denman’s highest recorded flood, in 1955 reached 8.23m on the local gauge, whilst floods peaked above 8.00m in 1807, 1821 and 1870.

What happens in Denman with Riverine Flooding

To understand what happens in a Muswellbrook flood, it is important that all residents and businesses know:

1. The name of their local flood gauge
2. Where to find the current river levels on the Bureau of Meteorology website
3. What consequences occur at different flood heights and what actions to take

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reads and refers to the Denman Gauge (210055).

Introduction

The Town of Muswellbrook is situated on the Eastern Side of the Hunter River at the confluence of the Hunter River and Muscle Creek. Muscle Creek is a major tributary of the Hunter River, with the channel being approximately 50m wide and brings flows through the township before joining the Hunter River and provides the greatest source of flood risk due to the possibility of river speeds and water velocities.

Are you at risk from floods?

Yes, you are!

Both the Muscle Creek catchments and the Hunter River can flood independently, though the conjunction of flooding events on both catchments can cause widespread flooding. The Muswellbrook Levee is aimed at protecting developed areas, though backwater inundation may still occur.

Is there a history of floods?

Flooding affecting Muswellbrook has periodically occurred, with the most severe occurring in 1955 in which Muscle Creek burst its banks, causing evacuations and inundation. The 1955 Event has been estimated as a 1% AEP Event (1 in 100 chance of occurring). Significant flooding events on the Hunter River and Muscle Creek catchments have occurred in 1870, 1971, 1976 and June 2007.

What happens in Muswellbrook with Riverine Flooding

To understand what happens in a Muswellbrook flood, it is important that all residents and businesses know:

1. The name of their local flood gauge
2. Where to find the current river levels on the Bureau of Meteorology website
3. What consequences occur at different flood heights and what actions to take

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reads and refers to the Muswellbrook Gauge (210002)