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Local information

Muswellbrook

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Local Government Area
Muswellbrook
River catchments
Hawkesbury River
Hunter River
Macquarie-Bogan Rivers
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Muswellbrook

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.

Local Flood Insights

The Local Flood Insights tool offers an overview of flood-prone areas, historic flood events, and modelled flood risks through detailed maps, data and community stories. This website-based platform combines flood inundation mapping, photos and personal accounts from local residents about the impacts of past floods and ways to prepare for future floods.

This information is useful to community members, travellers, or anyone wanting to learn more about local flooding. Explore NSW SES Local Flood Insights to make informed decisions about flood safety and preparedness.

Select a river catchment below to view the Local Flood Insight for each corresponding catchment area. To see all catchment areas, visit the Local Flood Insights page.

Local SES units

Denman Unit

Cnr Merton and Virginia Streets , Denman, NSW 2328

Muswellbrook Unit

7 Industrial Close , Muswellbrook, NSW 2333

Latest News

Media release
News
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is advising residents to monitor conditions in the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley, as forecast rain may lead to river level rises.
Media release
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Severe thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon and evening impacted many areas including Sydney, the Hunter, Illawarra, Central West Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains districts.
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NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is warning afternoon storms will continue over the next several hours.