Measuring the rain
There’s a new gauge in Conondale that provides rainfall and water level information for locals along the upper Mary River during wet weather events.
There’s a new gauge in Conondale that provides rainfall and water level information for locals along the upper Mary River during wet weather events.
Rainfall is measured in the field at Conondale and the information is transmitted, as it happens, to council in the Local Disaster Coordination Centre and onto the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
Division 5 Councillor Jenny McKay said the water level recorded at the gauge can advise if the bridge at Conondale is flooded.
“The gauge provides additional information about the upper Mary River catchment that complements the data collected from our gauges at Bell Bird Creek, Kenilworth and Moy Pocket,” Cr McKay said.
“Together the gauges provide our hydrologists with a comprehensive picture of how a flood peak travels along the upper Mary River.
“During an event the information is used by council and agencies at the Local Disaster Coordination Centre when making decisions about where resources are needed and which communities need assistance.”
Division 10 Councillor Greg Rogerson said both council and the BOM currently maintain 71 rain and stream gauges across the region.
“We’ve got resilient communities along the upper Mary and council’s recent investment in the gauge network and flood mapping of the upper Mary demonstrates council’s commitment to these communities,” Cr Rogerson said.
“I hope the information is helpful to the upper Mary communities when making decisions during flood events.
“In addition to the Conondale gauge council is installing three more stations at Kin Kin, Pomona and Nambour.”