Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations
Major Flood Warning For The Thomson River And Cooper Creek And Moderate Flood Warning For The Barcoo River
Issued at 12:08 PM AEST on Saturday 21 March 2026
Flood Warning Number: 85
MAJOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT JUNDAH, LIKELY AT WINDORAH AND POSSIBLE AT STONEHENGE FROM LATE SATURDAY ONWARDS
MODERATE FLOODING EASING AT LONGREACH AND LIKELY AT RETREAT FROM MONDAY
Along the Thomson River, moderate flooding continues at Longreach. The main flood peak is now approaching Stonehenge where moderate flooding is occurring and major flooding is possible from late Saturday. Major flooding is occurring at Jundah with a major flood peak expected during Sunday.
Along the Barcoo River, minor flooding is easing at Isisford. The main flood peak is currently passing Wahroongha where minor flooding is occurring. These flood waters may cause moderate flooding at Retreat from Monday.
Along the Cooper Creek at Windorah, the creek level remains elevated above the moderate flood level, with renewed rises above the major flood level likely from early next week as flood peaks arrive from both the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers.
Forecast heights and timings will be refined as upstream peaks are observed. The situation is being monitored and this warning will be updated as required.
Thomson River:
Major flooding is occurring along the Thomson River at Jundah.
No recent observations are available for the Thomson River at Camoola Park. The river is estimated to be above the minor flood level (2.00 m) and falling.
The Thomson River at Camoola Park may fall below the minor flood level (2.00 m) early next week.
The Thomson River at Longreach is currently at 4.70 m and steady, with moderate flooding.
The Thomson River at Longreach may fall below the moderate flood level (4.30 m) as early as Sunday.
The Thomson River at Stonehenge is currently at 4.65 m and steady, with moderate flooding.
The Thomson River at Stonehenge may peak near the major flood level (5.00 m) late Saturday.
The Thomson River at Jundah is currently at 5.40 m and rising, with major flooding.
The Thomson River at Jundah may peak near 6.75 m during Sunday, with major flooding. Peak predictions will be refined once upstream peaks are observed.
Barcoo River to Isisford:
Minor flooding is occurring along the Barcoo River at Isisford
The Barcoo River at Isisford Post Office is currently at 4.62 m and falling, with minor flooding.
The Barcoo River at Isisford Post Office may fall below the minor flood level (4.00 m) during Sunday.
Barcoo River downstream of Isisford:
Moderate flooding is likely along the Barcoo River at Retreat from Monday
The Barcoo River at Retreat is currently at 2.40 m and steady, with minor flooding.
The Barcoo River at Retreat is likely to reach around the moderate flood level (4.50 m) from Monday, with further rises likely. Forecasts will be refined as upstream peaks are observed.
Cooper Creek:
Major flooding is likely along the Cooper Creek at Windorah from early next week
The Cooper Creek at Windorah is currently at 4.70 m and steady, with moderate flooding.
The Cooper Creek at Windorah is likely to exceed the major flood level (5.00 m) from early next week. Further rises are likely as upstream flood waters arrive from both the Thomson and Barcoo rivers.
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 Sunday 22 March 2026.
Latest River Heights:
Cornish Creek at Bowen Downs,4.04,steady,11:00 am Sat 21/03/26
Thomson River at Muttaburra,4.23,steady,9:00 am Sat 21/03/26
Thomson River at Camoola Park,4.15,falling,12:00 pm Thu 19/03/26
Thomson River at Longreach,4.70,steady,11:00 am Sat 21/03/26
Thomson River at Bogewong,6.68,steady,12:00 pm Sat 21/03/26
Thomson River at Stonehenge,4.65,steady,8:55 am Sat 21/03/26
Thomson River at Jundah,5.40,rising,8:00 am Sat 21/03/26
Barcoo River at Duneira,0.90,steady,11:53 am Sat 21/03/26
Barcoo River at Coolagh,4.50,steady,7:05 pm Tue 17/03/26
Alice River at Barcaldine,3.80,falling,10:59 am Mon 16/03/26
Alice River at Barcaldine Weir,5.10,steady,11:00 am Sat 21/03/26
Barcoo River at Isisford Post Office,4.62,falling,5:55 am Sat 21/03/26
Barcoo River at Wahroongha,3.65,steady,7:00 am Sat 21/03/26
Barcoo River at Retreat,2.40,steady,11:00 am Sat 21/03/26
Cooper Creek at Windorah (Lignum Channel),0.16,steady,9:00 am Sat 21/03/26
Cooper Creek at Windorah,4.70,steady,4:30 pm Fri 20/03/26
Cooper Creek at Durham Downs,2.40,steady,9:00 am Sat 21/03/26
Cooper Creek at Nappa Merrie,3.02,steady,11:00 am Sat 21/03/26
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
Charters Towers (20.0763°S, 146.2586°E, 311m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers in the N, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the N in the afternoon and evening. Winds E 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 29 to 35.
Forecast for Charters Towers (20.0763°S, 146.2586°E, 311m AMSL) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Summary
Minimum 21° 20° 19° 21° 20° 21° 21° Maximum 30° 32° 33° 35° 35° 36° 34° Chance of rain 20% 30% 5% 10% 10% 10% 70% 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 13
(km/h)13
(km/h)14
(km/h)15
(km/h)10
(km/h)16
(km/h)6
(km/h)14
(km/h)6
(km/h)13
(km/h)6
(km/h)12
(km/h)10
(km/h)15
(km/h)Wind direction SE ESE SE SE SSE SSE S SSE NNW ESE N SE SE SE Relative humidity 82% 72% 81% 66% 73% 60% 73% 54% 72% 55% 76% 54% 72% 63% Dew point 22°C 23°C 22°C 24°C 22°C 23°C 23°C 23°C 23°C 24°C 23°C 24°C 23°C 25°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Charters Towers (20.0763°S, 146.2586°E, 311m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase First quarter Full moon Last quarter New moon 5:57am EST 6:19am EST 6:25pm EST 6:47pm EST 9:11am EST 8:33pm EST
Waxing crescent
First quarter Mar 26 Full moon Apr 02 Last quarter Apr 10 New moon Apr 17 -
Warnings
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days