A week since the Macquarie River reached a peak of over 9.00 metres in Warren town, major flooding is continuing with river levels remaining steady. 

While local rainfall levels have begun to drop, the ongoing release of excess water from Burrendong Dam has kept the river levels high and without opportunity to recede, as well as inflows from the Bell and Talbragar Rivers.  

Warren Shire Council General Manager Gary Woodman said that boats are becoming a common sight when entering town. 

“A lot of people learned to work from home this year, but we’re seeing a reasonable amount of people actually boating into Warren for work from certain areas,” Mr Woodman said. 

In response to the new mode of transport, council has urged boat drivers to travel slow through the water, as fast movements cause waves that van inundate private levees and creeks. 

While the town’s levee banks have protected the town itself from inundation, Mr Woodman said they have tractors and pumps waiting to go for when rain threatens to flood the stormwater system. 

“At a major flood level, we have to make sure that our levee floodgates are closed. We’ve got a whole heap of tractor mounted pumps all around. It’s made us like a fishbowl so we’re watching the weather and the sounds on the roof as much as possible to take action and turn on the pumps,” he said.

At Narromine, the river levels are slowly but surely falling, measured at 6.46 metre on Sunday. Minor flood levels are expected to continue into today and tomorrow. 

The Macquarie River at Narromine was at 6.46 metres and falling slowly at 5:50 pm Sunday, with minor flooding. The Macquarie River at Narromine is expected to remain above the minor flood level (5.50 metres) for the remainder of Monday and into mid this week.

Mr Woodman said that the level is predicted to fall to around 8.5 in the next three to four days. 

This Thursday, December 9, Walgett is expecting to exceed the minor flood level of 10.50 metres. It may reach around 11.80 metres this coming Sunday. 

Exceeding minor flooding at Collarenebri from the Barwon River isn’t expected to occur until Tuesday, December 14, reaching 5.80 metres. By Friday, December 17, minor flood levels will continue as the river level in the town may reach 6.50 metres.   

Roads around the region – particularly unsealed – remain closed to the public and drivers are urged not to continue beyond road closure signs. 

For emergency assistance from the SES, call 132 500.