Hydrographers fix the faulty gauge that caused excessive rive level readings from beneath the Old Tocumwal Railway Bridge.
Tocumwal residents have breathed a sigh of relief after the Murray River peaked at 7.4m last weekend and has now fallen from major to moderate flood level.
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Many became increasingly concerned after a gauge that provides readings from the Old Tocumwal Railway Bridge showed the river height had hit 7.95m.
This was later detected as a falsely high water level due to a faulty gauge.
The peak was reduced to 7.4m as of last Thursday, after hydrographers repaired the gauge, recalibrated it and once again checked flow levels.
The gauge spike was due to a sensor coming off the end of a probe attached to a computer that records the river level.
At this time, the Murray is slowly receding, but that did not begin until it had exceeded the 2016 major flood level of 7.3m.
Readings from the Old Tocumwal Railway Bridge water gauge.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the Murray River at Tocumwal peak was accompanied by major flooding.
At the time of going to print yesterday, the Murray River at Tocumwal had steadied to 6.93m and is slowly falling, with moderate flooding still occurring.
The Tocumwal river level is likely to remain above the moderate flood level of 6.7m through to the weekend, with some areas still impacted by dangerous floodwaters.
These include low-lying roads and bridges, farms and rural areas, and recreational areas along the Murray River.
Many Tocumwal region residents have now experienced weeks of flood warning to avoid floodwaters while those on rural properties have been required to isolate due to water cutting access roads.
One of the major concerns remains the instability of large trees that have been under water for an extended period.
The Stan Collie Causeway between Cobram and Barooga was the most recent roadway to be affected due to a large tree leaning over the roadway yesterday morning.
Berrigan Shire Council organised contractors to remove the tree.
The Goulburn Valley Highway between Cobram-Koonoomoo Road and Tocumwal has water over the road with the speed reduced to 40km per hour.
Road users are advised to obey the speed reduction and drive safely.
Meanwhile, it will still be weeks before many primary producers affected by these floods will be able to assess the full impact on grazing and cropping areas.
A $75,000 Special Disaster Grant has been made available in local government areas such as Berrigan Shire, Murrumbidgee Council and Federation Shire for those impacted by the current severe weather and flooding events.
Primary producers are encouraged not to self-assess, but to consult with their local Rural Financial Counselling Service, the Rural Recovery Support Service or apply for the scheme so that the RAA can determine eligibility for this funding.
A swollen Murray River at Tocumwal has been climbing higher up the levee bank protecting the town and approaching the height of the road bridge at the town. Flood water has completely submerged the town beach and surrounding bushland.
Photo by
Murray Silby
A swollen Murray River at Tocumwal has been climbing higher up the levee bank protecting the town and approaching the height of the road bridge at the town. Flood water has completely submerged the town beach and surrounding bushland.
Photo by
Murray Silby
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