The potential for undertaking wide-spread or whole-of-catchment floodplain mapping is limited by both economic and technical considerations. However, floodplain management strategies for these regions should be able to be developed using local data such as photographs, spot level information and verbal descriptions of flood behaviour. Provided sufficient information can be collated from the past, or collected over time, it can be expected that a useful compendium of information on flooding can be developed to aid development decisions and emergency response planning.
Under an International Decade of Natural Disaster Reduction project, the Department has gathered information on Tasmanian floods going as far back as 1828, the year when widespread flooding was first reported throughout Tasmania. Sufficient information was available in four areas to allow the compilation of flood data books covering the Derwent, South Esk, Macquarie and Jordan Rivers.
Where available, each Flood Data Book includes photographs, maps of flood extent, flood profiles and a tabulation of heights reached by floods across these districts.
Flood Data Books reside in the relevant local government office and are 'living' documents which need to be updated over time in order to aid in floodplain planning decisions. If large floods occur, a comprehensive photographic record can provide valuable information for future planning at minimal cost.
The Flood Data Books
South Esk River & Macquarie River Flood Data Book (1.32 MB)
Derwent Flood Data Book (951 KB)
Jordan River Flood Data Book (923 KB)
Further Information
Floodplain ManagementFloodplain Mapping