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Burdekin Falls Dam – January spill event

Posted on by Belinda McIntosh
Burdekin Falls Dam spilling in February 2020

Update 8 – Saturday 30 January 2021, 11.20am

The boat ramp near Burdekin Falls Dam will be re-opening today at 11:00am.

Any rainfall within the catchment could cause the storage level to increase and closure of the boat ramp.

Please note, the spillway road remains closed. 

Boaties are urged to exercise caution as conditions may have changed and various floating and submerged hazards may be present. It is important to note that the skipper of any vessel is primarily responsible for monitoring safe conditions and operating their vessel appropriately.

Sunwater asks anyone visiting Burdekin Falls Dam for recreation purposes to take care. Remember to read signs, beware of hazards, stay aware of your surroundings and enjoy the waterway safely.

Update 7 – Thursday 28 January 2021, 10:30am

Burdekin Falls Dam is at 103.5% capacity and the volume of excess water flowing over the spillway is decreasing.

If downstream of the dam, expect continued river flows and remember if it’s flooded, forget it. The road downstream of the dam and the boat ramp remain closed. Other recreational facilities are open. 

An update will be issued if further rainfall in the catchment cause flows to increase

Stay informed by:

Update 6 – Friday, 8 January 2021, 1:20pm

Burdekin Falls Dam peaked at approximately 6pm Thursday 7 January 2021. 

The storage level is currently 142.05% (or 2.87 m above spillway) and is decreasing.  

If downstream of the dam, continue to expect increased river flows and remember if it’s flooded, forget it. 

The road downstream of the dam and the boat ramp remain closed. Other recreational facilities are open.  

Rainfall is expected to continue in the catchment. An update will be issued if required.   

Downstream residents and the surrounding community are urged to review their emergency plans and stay informed by:

Update 5 – Wednesday, 6 January 2021, 2:00pm

Excess water spilling from Burdekin Falls Dam is increasing due to ongoing rainfall in the catchment.

The dam’s storage level is 127.1% (3m above spillway) and expected to reach minor flood level (130% capacity) tomorrow, Thursday 7 January 2021.

If downstream of the dam, expect increased river flows and remember if it’s flooded, forget it.

Downstream residents and the surrounding community are urged to review their emergency plans and stay informed by:

Update 4 – Sunday, 3 January 2021, 1:45pm

As Burdekin Falls Dam is now spilling, the boat ramp and all recreational facilities are closed until further notice.

Update 3 – Sunday, 3 January 2021, 7:00am

Burdekin Falls Dam is currently at 101.1% capacity and has started spilling excess water. If downstream of the dam, expect increased river flows and remember if it’s flooded, forget it.

Stay informed by:

Update 2 – Saturday, 2 January 2021, 1:30pm

As is standard practice before Burdekin Falls Dam begins spilling water, Sunwater will close the section of Burdekin Falls Dam Road directly below the spillway by 6:00pm on Saturday, 2 January 2021.

This section of the road will remain closed while outflows occur. Monitor forecasts and river levels at www.bom.gov.au and the dam’s level at https://bit.ly/BurdekinFallsStorageLevels  

Update 1 – Friday, 1 January 2021, 4:24pm

Burdekin Falls Dam is currently at 76.2% capacity and may spill excess water in the coming days due to forecast rainfall in the catchment. An update will be issued if the dam starts to spill.

Stay informed by:

  • downloading Sunwater’s App
  • following Sunwater on Facebook and Twitter
  • tuning into ABC local radio
  • monitoring forecasts and river levels at www.bom.gov.au
  • checking the dam’s level at https://bit.ly/BurdekinFallsStorageLevels
  • checking the below Burdekin Disaster Dashboards for emergency news, road and crossing closures and power outages
    Burdekin Shire: https://disaster.burdekin.qld.gov.au/
    Charters Towers: http://www.getready.ctrc.qld.gov.au/
    Whitsunday Regional Council: http://disaster.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/
    Townsville: http://disaster.townsville.qld.gov.au/