Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations
Minor Flood Warning For The Dawson River
Issued at 01:32 PM AEST on Monday 16 February 2026
Flood Warning Number: 3
MINOR FLOOD PEAK LIKELY AT TAROOM MONDAY AFTERNOON
MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT BARALABA FROM OVERNIGHT MONDAY INTO TUESDAY
Recent moderate to heavy rainfall across the Dawson River catchment has caused rises in river and creek levels. Along the Upper Dawson River, the flood peak is now approaching Taroom, where minor flooding is occurring. Minor flooding is possible at Baralaba from overnight Monday into Tuesday as upstream flows arrive.
Rainfall has eased, however, the situation is being closely monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.
Dawson River to Theodore:
Minor flooding is occurring along the Dawson River to Theodore.
The Dawson River at Taroom is currently at 5.03 m and steady, with minor flooding.
The Dawson River at Taroom is likely to peak near 5.10 m Monday afternoon, with minor flooding.
Dawson River downstream of Theodore:
Minor flooding is possible along the Dawson River downstream of Theodore.
No current observations are available for the Dawson River at Baralaba. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river level is estimated to be below the minor flood level (4.00 m) and rising.
The Dawson River at Baralaba may reach around the minor flood level (4.00 m) from overnight Monday into Tuesday.
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 02:00 PM AEST on Tuesday 17 February 2026.
Latest River Heights:
Dawson River at Utopia Downs,3.63,steady,12:00 pm Mon 16/02/26
Dawson River at Tarana Crossing,4.18,rising,1:23 pm Mon 16/02/26
Juandah Creek at Windamere,2.68,falling,12:20 pm Mon 16/02/26
Dawson River at Taroom,5.03,steady,12:00 pm Mon 16/02/26
Dawson River at Gyranda Weir,0.55,steady,12:00 pm Mon 16/02/26
Dawson River at Theodore Weir,6.67,steady,12:00 pm Mon 16/02/26
Dawson River at Moura Weir,0.58,steady,12:38 pm Mon 16/02/26
Mimosa Creek at Karamea,6.96,rising,1:07 pm Mon 16/02/26
Dawson River at Baralaba TW,3.62,steady,12:33 pm Mon 16/02/26
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
Mackay West (21.1522°S, 149.159°E, 8m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the late morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Winds SE 15 to 25 km/h turning E in the late morning. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching around 30.
Forecast for Mackay West (21.1522°S, 149.159°E, 8m AMSL) Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Summary
Minimum 24° 25° 25° 24° 24° 24° 24° Maximum 28° 27° 27° 27° 27° 27° 28° Chance of rain 90% 90% 90% 80% 90% 90% 70% Likely amount 20-40mm 20-40mm 40-80mm 5-10mm 5-10mm 1-5mm 1-5mm 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 16
(km/h)19
(km/h)14
(km/h)16
(km/h)11
(km/h)15
(km/h)16
(km/h)18
(km/h)16
(km/h)19
(km/h)17
(km/h)19
(km/h)15
(km/h)17
(km/h)Wind direction SE ESE ESE ESE ESE ESE SE ESE ESE ESE SE SE SE SE Relative humidity 85% 81% 90% 88% 89% 84% 83% 78% 80% 75% 79% 72% 76% 71% Dew point 24°C 24°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 24°C 23°C 23°C 22°C 22°C 22°C 22°C 23°C 22°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Mackay West (21.1522°S, 149.159°E, 8m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase New moon First quarter Full moon Last quarter 5:32am EST 5:55am EST 6:40pm EST 7:03pm EST 5:22am EST 6:33pm EST
New moon
New moon Feb 17 First quarter Feb 24 Full moon Mar 03 Last quarter Mar 11 -
Warnings
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days