January 2011 Flood Event

The January 2011 Flood Event was unprecedented in the history of Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine Dams and rivals the largest floods in the region’s recorded history.

 

The Dams provided clear flood mitigation benefits.

 

Virtually all of Wivenhoe and Somerset Dams’ dedicated flood mitigation storage volume was available for use, prior to the flood event commencing on 6 January 2011.

 

Water releases were made in compliance with approved Flood Mitigation Manuals.

 

As two distinct flood peaks occurred 30 hours apart, each similar in nature and magnitude to the 1974 flood flows, flood damage in urban areas was unavoidable.

 

Seqwater maintained drinking water supplies to the Water Grid during the Event.