Flooding

Flooding is the inundation of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding is caused by heavy rainfall, melting snow, and storm events.

Flood mitigation can be tackled in two ways: by local councils limiting where housing and development can occur, and by the construction of physical barriers such as levees and dams to minimise the impact of flooding on communities. Early warning systems alerts for impending floods.

Climate change has resulted in more frequent and severe flooding events.

To learn more about flood and floodplain management visit Floodplain management.

Physical mitigation

Levees

Levees are embankments or physical barriers built along the banks of rivers, streams, or other water bodies to prevent or confine flooding. Levees work by containing waterflow within the designated channel, preventing it from spilling into surrounding areas. Levees are designed to withstand hydraulic pressure exerted by floodwaters. Levees are typically built with sloping sides and a flat or gently sloping top. The height, width, and cross-section of a levee is calculated based on anticipated flood levels, soil conditions, and hydraulic characteristics of the waterbody. Find out more about levee design, construction and management at Levee management.

Dams

A dam is a wall that holds back water to form a storage, lake, or reservoir. Dams can also be built across waterways to divert or control the flow of water. Find out more about dam construction at Victoria's dams.

Flood early warning systems (FEWs)

Numerous Regional Water Monitoring Partnership (RWMP) monitoring sites are used for early warning systems.

Find out more about FEWS at Long-term preparation for flooding.

PALS for monitoring during flood events

Portable Automated Logger System (PALS) are portable units that record data during events. PALS are usually installed where flood studies require additional data in addition to what is recorded at permanent monitoring sites. PALS units enable real-time data to be used during flood events. RWMP has 25 PALS units, which are deployed for short-term monitoring. The DEECA Floodplain Management (FM) team approves the deployment of PALS. The FM team consults with VICSES, regional floodplain managers and the Bureau of Meteorology.