Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations
Major Flood Warning For The Upper Balonne River
Issued at 12:58 PM AEST on Sunday 15 March 2026
Flood Warning Number: 9
MAJOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT WARKON AND SURAT, WITH SURAT LIKELY TO PEAK NEAR 10.8 M DURING MONDAY
The main flood peak along the Balonne River has passed Warkon, where river levels peaked above the major flood level on Saturday morning. This peak is now approaching Surat, where river levels are likely to peak near 10.80 m during Monday, with major flooding.
Further downstream at Warroo, minor flooding is possible from overnight Monday into Tuesday. River levels along Dogwood Creek have since eased below flood thresholds.
Peak forecasts will be refined as upstream peaks are observed.
No significant rainfall is forecast across the catchment for the next several days.
Dogwood Creek:
River levels have eased along Dogwood Creek.
Balonne River to Surat:
Major flooding is occurring along the Balonne River to Surat.
The Balonne River at Warkon peaked at 10.82 m around 09:00 pm Friday, with major flooding. The river is currently at 10.72 m and steady, with major flooding.
The Balonne River at Warkon is likely to remain above the major flood level (9.00 m) through to Tuesday.
No observations are currently available for the Balonne River at Surat. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river level is estimated to be above the major flood level (9.0 m) and rising.
The Balonne River at Surat is likely to peak near 10.80 m during Monday, with major flooding.
Balonne River downstream of Surat to Beardmore Dam:
Minor flooding is possible along the Balonne River downstream of Surat to Beardmore Dam.
The Balonne River at Warroo is currently at 7.35 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Balonne River at Warroo may exceed the minor flood level (9.00 m) overnight Monday into Tuesday. Further rises are possible as upstream flows arrive. Peak forecasts will be provided as upstream peaks are observed.
Flood Safety Advice:
Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au/warnings.}
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.
Next issue:
The next warning will be issued by 01:00 PM AEST on Monday 16 March 2026.
Latest River Heights:
Dogwood Creek at Miles,3.99,steady,10:08 am Sun 15/03/26
Bungil Creek at Tabers,0.76,steady,12:00 pm Sun 15/03/26
Bungil Creek at Roma,1.01,steady,12:00 pm Sun 15/03/26
Balonne River at Surat TM,10.00,steady,12:20 pm Sun 15/03/26
Balonne River at Weribone,10.00,steady,12:00 pm Sun 15/03/26
Balonne River at Warroo,7.35,steady,11:48 am Sun 15/03/26
Maranoa River at Springfield,0.99,steady,12:00 pm Sun 15/03/26
Maranoa River at Woodlands,1.95,steady,12:00 pm Sun 15/03/26
Maranoa River at Old Cashmere,3.04,falling,12:00 pm Sun 15/03/26
Balonne River at Beardmore Dam,-0.52,rising,11:53 am Sun 15/03/26
This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.
Forecast
Bluff (23.5824°S, 149.0695°E, 167m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the NE in the morning and afternoon. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Light winds becoming E 15 to 25 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 16 and 20 with daytime temperatures reaching around 30.
Forecast for Bluff (23.5824°S, 149.0695°E, 167m AMSL) Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Summary
Minimum 19° 19° 19° 20° 20° 20° 20° Maximum 30° 31° 31° 31° 32° 32° 32° Chance of rain 5% 20% 10% 10% 30% 50% 60% Likely amount < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Fire Danger Rating No Rating No Rating No Rating No Rating - - - Frost risk Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm Wind speed 25
(km/h)19
(km/h)20
(km/h)16
(km/h)20
(km/h)16
(km/h)19
(km/h)15
(km/h)20
(km/h)18
(km/h)20
(km/h)16
(km/h)16
(km/h)17
(km/h)Wind direction ESE E ESE E ESE E ESE ESE ESE E ESE ESE ESE ESE Relative humidity 60% 47% 59% 44% 62% 44% 63% 45% 63% 44% 64% 42% 60% 39% Dew point 17°C 17°C 17°C 17°C 18°C 17°C 18°C 17°C 19°C 18°C 19°C 16°C 18°C 15°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Bluff (23.5824°S, 149.0695°E, 167m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase New moon First quarter Full moon Last quarter 5:44am EST 6:06am EST 6:20pm EST 6:43pm EST 3:05am EST 4:33pm EST
Waning crescent
New moon Mar 19 First quarter Mar 26 Full moon Apr 02 Last quarter Apr 10 -
Warnings
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days