Flood Release Notification service
Seqwater now provides a free Flood Release Notification service which can provide subscribers with notifications by email, SMS / text messages to mobile phones or recorded messages to telephone landlines.
Subscribers can choose to receive notifications about particular Seqwater dams in relation to flood water releases from those dams only.
Seqwater dams and flood water releases
Seqwater owns and operates 26 dams in the South East Queensland region.
These dams form part of the SEQ Water Grid that provides drinking water supplies for the people of South East Queensland.
The dams are either:
- gated dams, for example Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine Dams, with gates that can be operated during flood events to provide flood mitigation capacity. Flood event operations may require Seqwater to release flood waters from its dams; or
- ungated dams, with a spillway over which flood waters will flow once the dam is full. The spillway of each dam is at a lower height than the dam embankment so that flood water can flow over the spillway and safely out of the dam. These structures are not designed to hold flood water, and cannot be operated for flood mitigation purposes.
Notification information
The notifications issued by Seqwater will contain different information depending upon the type of dam(s) selected by the subscriber.
If the subscriber chooses to receive information on gated dams, the notification will tell the subscriber about the likely flow rates and timing for flood water releases from each selected dam.
If the subscriber chooses to receive information on ungated dams, the notification will tell the subscriber that the dam is spilling or that spilling is about to commence. Currently, Seqwater is unable to provide information on the volume and timing of flood releases from each ungated dam.
Use of the notification information
It is important to remember that a flood water release from a dam, whether by operation of any gate or a spillway flow from an ungated dam, is only one source of water contributing to flows in rivers or watercourses downstream of the dam.
In considering the information provided by the notification service, subscribers should be aware of other sources of potential flooding, including flows from catchments downstream of the dam, overland flows from adjoining or nearby land, localised flash flooding downstream of the dam, and stormwater system releases. The notification service only provides information in relation to the dams selected by the subscriber and does not provide information to relation to any other potential sources of flooding.
The notification service does not provide information on river levels at gauges, or predictions about areas that may be inundated by flood waters in a flood event. Subscribers should also consider information available from other sources which may include:
- details of road closures, inundation flood mapping and information regarding any evacuation arrangements, from the Council and Local Disaster Management Group for the relevant area;
- weather forecasts and information on changes in river levels at particular gauge locations from the Bureau of Meteorology; and
- emergency services warnings, including from Police and Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ).
Notification frequency
Notifications will be issued by Seqwater from time to time, depending upon the type of dam(s) selected by the subscriber.
If the subscriber elects to receive information on a gated dam, the notification will be issued during declared flood events each time there is a material change in the likely flow rates and timing for flood water releases from the selected dam(s).
If the subscriber elects to receive information on an ungated dam, the notification will be issued at the time the water storage is at or near full supply level and spilling commences or spilling is about to commence.
Registration
To become a subscriber to the notification service, residents must complete the registration form online and must accept the terms and conditions of using the notification service.
 |
 |
Change of subscription details
Subscribers may change contact details, property details or selected dams for flood release notifications at any time. You can update your details online using the Change Subscription form or by calling 07 3035 5500 during business hours.
Please allow one business day for updates to take effect.
Unsubscribe
Subscribers can unsubscribe at any time by emailing gatereleases@seqwater.com.au or by calling 07 3035 5500 during business hours.
Please allow one business day for updates to take effect.