Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales

Minor Flood Warning For The Barwon River And Minor To Moderate Flood Warning For The Darling River
Issued at 10:46 AM EST on Thursday 24 April 2025
Flood Warning Number: 18

MINOR FLOODING HAS PEAKED AT BREWARRINA JUST ABOVE JANUARY 2010 LEVELS
MINOR FLOODING RISING AT BOURKE, MAY PEAK CLOSE TO MODERATE FLOOD LEVEL FROM NEXT TUESDAY
MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE AT LOUTH AND TILPA DURING MAY
The main flood peak along the Barwon River is around Brewarrina where minor flooding is occurring just above the level observed during January 2010. This flow along the Barwon River is combining with floodwaters from the Culgoa / Bokhara Rivers to cause river level rises along the Darling River. Flows along the Bogan River are insignificant during this event and are not expected to influence Darling River levels. Along the Darling River at Bourke, minor flooding is rising and may peak close to the moderate flood level from around Tuesday April 29 to Saturday May 3.
Further downstream along the Darling River, minor flooding is likely at Louth during Thursday, and moderate flooding is possible during the first week of May. At Tilpa, minor flooding is likely towards the end of April, and moderate flooding is possible during the second week of May. At Wilcannia, minor flooding is likely from mid to late May, with higher levels possible.

Barwon River downstream of Walgett to Brewarrina:
Minor flooding is occurring along the Barwon River downstream of Walgett to Brewarrina.
The Barwon River at Brewarrina peaked at 6.60 metres around 11:00 pm Wednesday 23 April and is currently at 6.56 metres and steady, above the minor flood level (6.40 m). This is slightly higher than the January 2010 flood event (around 6.52 m).
The Barwon River at Brewarrina is expected to remain around the current level during the remainder of Thursday, then begin falling slowly. The river level may remain above the minor flood level (6.40 m) until around Friday.

Barwon and Darling Rivers downstream of Brewarrina to Bourke:
Minor flooding is occurring along the Barwon and Darling Rivers downstream of Brewarrina to Bourke.
The Darling River at Bourke is currently at 10.06 metres and rising, above the minor flood level (9.50 m).
The Darling River at Bourke may peak around 11.20 metres from about Tuesday April 29 to Saturday May 3, with minor flooding. This is close to the moderate flood level (11.40 m). Higher levels may be possible. This prolonged flood peak is expected to extend into the first week of May.

Darling River downstream of Bourke to Tilpa:
Moderate flooding is likely along the Darling River downstream of Bourke to Tilpa.
The Darling River at Louth is currently at 8.57 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (8.60 m).
The Darling River at Louth is likely to exceed the minor flood level (8.60 m) Thursday. The river level may exceed the moderate flood level (10.00 m) during the first week of May and may reach around 10.90 metres from about Tuesday May 6 to Friday May 9, with moderate flooding. Higher levels are possible as upstream flows arrive. Peak predictions will be provided once a peak has been observed at Bourke.

The Darling River at Tilpa is currently at 8.06 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (9.00 m).
The Darling River at Tilpa is likely to exceed the minor flood level towards the end of April, and may exceed the moderate flood level (10.50 m) during the second week of May. The river level may reach around 11.40 metres from about Saturday May 10 to Saturday May 17, with moderate flooding. Higher levels are possible as upstream flows arrive. Peak predictions will be provided once upstream peaks have been observed.

Darling River downstream of Tilpa to Wilcannia:
Minor flooding is likely along the Darling River downstream of Tilpa to Wilcannia during mid to late May.
The Darling River at Wilcannia is currently at 6.57 metres and rising slowly, below the minor flood level.
The Darling River at Wilcannia is likely to reach the minor flood level (9.00 m) during mid to late May. Higher levels, including moderate flooding, are possible. Predictions will be refined as upstream peaks are observed.

Flood Safety Advice:
In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring NSW SES on 132 500.
* Avoid drowning. Stay out of rising water, seek refuge in the highest available place.
* Prevent damage to your vehicle. Move it under cover, away from areas likely to flood.
* Avoid being swept away. Stay out of fast-flowing creeks and storm drains.
* Never drive, ride or walk through flood water. Flood water can be deceptive and dangerous.}
For more emergency information, advice, and access to the latest river heights and rainfall observations and forecasts:
* NSW SES: www.ses.nsw.gov.au
* RMS Live Traffic: www.livetraffic.com
* Latest River Heights and Rainfall Observations: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/outerwest.shtml
* Latest NSW Warnings: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/
* Rainfall Forecasts: www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/
* BOM NSW Twitter: www.twitter.com/BOM_NSW

Next issue:
The next warning will be issued by 02:00 pm EST on Friday 25 April 2025.

Latest River Heights:
Barwon River at Eagle Farm,3.13,Steady,10:15 AM THU 24/04/25
Barwon River at Mungindi,3.61,Steady,10:15 AM THU 24/04/25
Barwon River at Mogil Mogil,2.60,Steady,10:15 AM THU 24/04/25
Barwon River at Collarenebri,2.18,Steady,10:00 AM THU 24/04/25
Barwon River at Walgett,8.56,Steady,10:15 AM THU 24/04/25
Barwon River at Brewarrina,6.56,Steady,10:15 AM THU 24/04/25
Darling River at Bourke,10.07,Rising,10:15 AM THU 24/04/25
Darling River at Louth,8.57,Rising,09:45 AM THU 24/04/25
Darling River at Tilpa,8.06,Steady,09:45 AM THU 24/04/25
Darling River at Wilcannia,6.57,Steady,10:00 AM THU 24/04/25
Darling River at Nelia Gaari,61.46,Steady,10:00 AM THU 24/04/25
Darling River at Menindee Town,4.11,Steady,10:15 AM THU 24/04/25
Darling River at Menindee Weir 32,2.10,Steady,10:00 AM THU 24/04/25
Channel Outlet at Lake Cawndilla,54.55,Steady,10:15 AM THU 24/04/25
Great Darling Anabranch at Offtake,3.24,Steady,10:00 AM THU 24/04/25
Great Darling Anabranch at Wycot,1.32,Steady,10:00 AM THU 24/04/25
Darling River at Pooncarie,2.72,Steady,10:00 AM THU 24/04/25
Darling Anabranch at U/S Dam,0.64,Steady,10:00 AM THU 24/04/25
Darling Anabranch at D/S Dam,1.76,Steady,10:00 AM THU 24/04/25
Darling River at Burtundy,1.24,Steady,10:00 AM THU 24/04/25
Great Darling Anabranch at Bulpunga,1.15,Steady,10:00 AM THU 24/04/25
Great Darling Anabranch at Tara Downs,0.78,Steady,10:00 AM THU 24/04/25

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 210. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood. The latest weather forecast is available at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts.