Georges River Floodplain Management Study Web Site

Georges River Floodplain Management Study

History of Flooding on the Georges River

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The 1986 flood on the Georges River in the Moorebank - Milperra area

Unfortunately, there is a long history of flooding on the Georges River. Records of flooding date back to 1870. Many of these observations have been recorded at the Liverpool weir, which was constructed in 1836 as a causeway crossing of the river. A chart showing recorded flood heights at the Liverpool weir is shown below.

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Floods recorded at Liverpool weir

Many people living on the banks of the Georges River will remember the 1986 and 1988 floods. These are the largest floods to have occurred over the last 30 years. Both floods are estimated to be about a 20 year flood (1 in 20 chance of occurring in any one year). The photo below shows the 1986 flood at East Hills.

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Few people may remember the 1956 flood, which was the largest flood to have been recorded over the last 100 years. A copy of the Sydney Morning Herald, dated 7th February 1956, is reproduced below. This article talks about the devastation caused by the 1956 flood. However, this flood is still relatively small compared to other historical floods that have occurred.

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No one living experienced the 1873 flood. This is the largest flood to have been recorded along the Georges River. The level at Liverpool was considerably higher than the 1956 flood (by several metres). The article below, also comes from the Sydney Morning Herald, this time from 27th February, 1873. Three other similarly large floods are also reported to have occurred towards the end of the 19^th century.

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Thus whilst the Georges River has a long history of flooding, those floods that are remembered by residents are relatively small in comparison to others that are possible, and that have occurred in the past.