The Muswellbrook Local Government Area encompasses two key townships: Muswellbrook and Denman, both situated along the Hunter River. Muswellbrook, located at the confluence of the Hunter River and Muscle Creek, faces flood risks from both water bodies, with Muscle Creek posing a significant threat due to its potential for high water velocities. Despite the presence of the Muswellbrook Levee, backwater inundation remains a concern during flood events. In Denman, situated on the western edge of the Hunter River floodplain, flooding from local creeks and the Hunter or Goulburn Rivers can lead to isolation, with the town protected by an open-ended levee constructed in 1988. However, severe events can still result in isolation of the entire town, and backwater flooding is a risk on its southern fringe. Historic floods in both areas underscore the ongoing challenge of managing flood risks in these communities.
The local information page provides valuable resources for your Local Government Area (LGA). You can explore flood information for your local river catchment through Local Flood Insights, access local flood plans and guides, and connect with local councils and NSW SES units.
Denman
Denman, situated on the western edge of the Hunter River floodplain, faces flood risks from local creeks and major rivers. The town receives runoff from a catchment area extending to a ridgeline 2km west and can experience short-term isolation from creek flooding. However, flooding of the Hunter or Goulburn Rivers can lead to prolonged isolation. An open-ended levee, built in 1988 to a height of 9.2m, offers some protection from overbank flooding, but severe events can still isolate the town entirely. Historical floods, such as those in 1955, 1807, 1821, and 1870, have reached over 8.00m, with significant backwater flooding affecting the southern urban fringe.
Muswellbrook
The town of Muswellbrook, located on the eastern side of the Hunter River at the confluence with Muscle Creek, is susceptible to flooding from both the Hunter River and Muscle Creek. Muscle Creek, a major tributary with a 50m-wide channel, poses a significant flood risk due to its river speeds and water velocities. Flooding can occur independently in either catchment, but combined events can cause widespread inundation. The Muswellbrook Levee provides some protection to developed areas, but backwater flooding may still occur, highlighting the ongoing flood risk in the region.