Tree management

Biodiversity

Climate change

Coast and estuary

State of the Environment

Sustainable living

Waterways and flooding

Waterways and flooding

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  Floodplain projects

  Works carried out by Floodplain Services

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  Floodplain risk management plans

  Council has embarked upon a major planning process for floodplain management

• Clarence floodplain project

  The ’Clarence Floodplain Project’ was established in 1997

  Contact details

  Contact details for Clarence Valley Council’s Floodplain Services

  Flood emergency information

  Information on what to do in an flood emergency

• Flood level enquiries

  For information on flood level heights and depths at general locations please refer to The Lower Clarence River Flood Study Review

  Flood publications

  Public documents for Floodplain Services including flood information by locality

  Floodplain engineering

  Council’s flood mitigation assets are valued at a replacement cost of over two hundred million dollars

• Historical flood information

  Historical flood information for the Clarence Valley including flood levels and flows

  Photo gallery

  Photo gallery for flood and waterways

Floodplain management

Clarence Valley Council is responsible for floodplain management and flood mitigation infrastructure on the Clarence floodplain, the largest coastal catchment in NSW.

Clarence Valley Council is responsible for floodplain management and flood mitigation infrastructure on the Clarence floodplain, the largest coastal catchment in NSW.

Historically, major and moderate flooding of the Clarence Valley has occurred 71 times in the past 166 years (that is greater than 3.6 m at the Prince Street Grafton gauge). Prior to 1959, floods had devastating impacts on both agriculture and urban areas in the Clarence Valley. Major flood mitigation works were carried out in the valley during the 1960s and 1970s; with the majority of flood mitigation works being constructed during this period.

The major urban centres of Grafton and Maclean have been protected against floods since completion of their levees in the 1970s. South Grafton now enjoys that same level of protection. Urban levees have also been constructed at Ulmarra and Iluka.

In more recent years, Council's research has identified innovative management practices for flood mitigation drains to minimise the effects of potential acid runoff, poor water quality and restricted fish passage.

Through the 'Clarence Floodplain Project', Council has embarked upon a new and successful program of active floodgate management to better manage flood mitigation drains. The process involves opening of floodgates to allow improved tidal exchange which leads to better water quality, improved fish passage and significantly reduced acid runoff.