Flood recovery update 14 September 2023
Overtopped levees
Strong southerly winds of up to 72 km/h resulted in overtopping of seven levees in the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area (LMRIA).
Two government-owned levees at Pompoota and Long Flat, and four privately-owned levees at Kilsby, Westbrook, Toora and Glen Lossie overtopped, while a privately-owned levee at Placid was breached following overtopping. These were caused by wind seiche from strong southerly winds raising water levels by 400 mm to 500 mm in under 24 hours.
Emergency stabilisation works to stop overtopping are now complete at Kilsby, Westbrook, Toora, Glen Lossie, Pompoota and Long Flat with further reinforcement works being undertaken where required. Repairs at Placid, where the levee breached after overtopping, are not possible at this stage but the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) will continue to work with landholders to assess damage and required works over coming days.
The River Murray is currently classed as high flow and as at 9:00 am 14 September 2023, flows at the South Australian border were about 37 GL/day.
If you have queries about levee stabilisation works or would like to discuss your particular circumstance, please contact DEW through the contacts listed below.
The SA River Murray flow report is issued weekly and provides information on flows across the SA border, water levels, river infrastructure and impacts to the river. Subscribe to the weekly SA River Murray Flow Report to stay updated.
For more information and updates on recovery works, see Levees.
Dewatering update
PIRSA remains committed to the dewatering process in the LMRIA.
Six of the seven overtopped levees were secured by DEW Friday 8 September 2023 and additional pumps were deployed over the weekend. The fast work by DEW to stabilise levees has reduced the level of additional flooding in these areas.
Pumps removed from two sites as a temporary precaution against potential flooding are currently being replaced to enable dewatering to continue. Long Flat was successfully dewatered early in the week and additional resources were deployed to Pompoota on Tuesday. Dewatering requirements will continue to be assessed this week and pumps will be deployed where necessary.
PIRSA will continue to work closely with landholders affected by this recent overtopping.
Support
Support for producers impacted by the floods includes grants and financial assistance, technical assistance and mental health and wellbeing support. See River Murray flood assistance for more information.
Key contacts
Department for Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) – Dewatering activities
Tarsha McGregor – Recovery Facilitator
PIRSA Murray Bridge Office, Bremer Rd
Phone: 0428 105 396
Email: tarsha.mcgregor@sa.gov.au
Department for Environment and Water (DEW) – Levee assessment and stabilisation
Birgitte Sorensen – Levee Recovery Manager
Phone: (08) 8463 6942
Email: birgitte.sorensen@sa.gov.au
Department for Environment and Water (DEW) – Levee assessment and stabilisation
Lisa van der Linde – Communications and Engagement Officer
Phone: 0437 313 087
Email: lisa.vanderlinde@sa.gov.au
Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) – Community recovery committee
Alex Zimmermann
Phone: 0455 984 411
Email: alex.zimmermann@sa.gov.au
Rural Business Support
Email: ruralbusinesssupport.org.au
Phone: 1800 836 211
