Moderate Flood Warning For The Lower Balonne And Bokhara Rivers, Balonne River Minor
21 MARCH 2026 14:00 AEST
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations
Moderate Flood Warning For The Lower Balonne And Bokhara Rivers, Balonne River Minor
Issued at 02:00 PM AEST on Saturday 21 March 2026
Flood Warning Number: 6
MODERATE FLOODING OCCURRING AT DIRRANBANDI
MINOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT ST GEORGE AND POSSIBLE AT HEBEL FROM EARLY NEXT WEEK
The main flood peak along the lower Balonne River passed St George Friday evening and is now moving downstream towards Whyenbah. The river level at St George peaked just below the moderate flood level on Friday evening, with minor flooding continuing.
Further downstream, major flooding is occurring along the lower Balonne River at Whyenbah where river levels are rising. Moderate flooding is occurring along the Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi, with further rises possible. Along the Bokhara River, minor flooding is possible at Hebel from early next week. Forecasts will be updated as upstream peaks are observed. No significant rainfall is forecast across the catchment for at least the next few days.
A Moderate Flood Warning is current for the upper Balonne River.
Lower Balonne and Bokhara Rivers, Balonne River Minor:
Moderate flooding is occurring along the lower Balonne River and Balonne River Minor. Minor flooding is possible along the Bokhara River from early next week.
No observations are currently available for the Balonne River at St George. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river level has peaked around 7.87 m Friday evening, with minor flooding.
The Balonne River at St George is likely to remain above the minor flood level (6.00 m) for the next few days.
The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi is currently at 4.45 m and rising, with moderate flooding.
The Balonne River at Dirranbandi may exceed 4.60 m during Sunday, with moderate flooding. Further rises are possible as upstream flows arrive.
The Bokhara River at Hebel is currently at -0.04 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Bokhara River at Hebel may exceed the minor flood level (1.00 m) from early next week.
Flood Safety Advice:
Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au/warnings.}
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.
Next issue:
The next warning will be issued by 03:00 PM AEST on Sunday 22 March 2026.
Latest River Heights:
Balonne River at Jack Taylor Weir,0.30,steady,12:28 pm Sat 21/03/26
Culgoa River at Whyenbah,6.07,steady,1:00 pm Sat 21/03/26
Culgoa River at Woolerbilla,2.96,steady,1:00 pm Sat 21/03/26
Balonne River at Dirranbandi,4.45,steady,9:00 am Sat 21/03/26
Narran River at Dirranbandi-Hebel Road,4.01,steady,1:00 pm Sat 21/03/26
Bokhara River at Hebel,-0.04,steady,1:00 pm Sat 21/03/26
This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.
