Dungog Shire

Introduction

The villages of Seaham, East Seaham intervening rural areas of the Port Stephens LGA. It also borders Clarence town in Dungog Local Council. Clarence Town, Seaham, and East Seaham are situated on the Williams River and Jackass Creek, all within 32 km from Raymond Terrace.  The Williams River has a major tributary, in that of the Chichester River, which has steep slopes of 5-25% influencing the flow velocity. Seaham Weir has been constructed to limit tidal influence as well as backflow from the Hunter River.

Are you at risk from flooding?

Yes, you are!

The sector can be isolated for periods of up to 5 days dependent on the scale of the respective flood.

Is there a history of flooding?

The Williams River has a long history of flooding, independent or co-dependent to a Hunter River Flood. Flood’s in March 1963 and February 1990 were independent floods on the Williams catchment, whilst the February 1955 flood caused a major flood on the Hunter River and a major flood on the Lower Williams.

What happens in Seaham and surrounds with Riverine Flooding

To understand what happens in a Williams River flood, it is important that all residents and businesses know:

1. The name of their local flood gauge
2. Where to find the current river levels on the Bureau of Meteorology website
3. What consequences occur at different flood heights and what actions to take

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reads and refers to the Mill Dam Falls (Glen Martin) gauge (210010) and Seaham (561087)

Mill Dam Falls (Glen Martin) gauge

Seaham (561087) Heights unclassified

Introduction

Dungog is located at the Convergence of the Myall Creek and Williams River catchments, situated on undulating topography which rises from countryside to steep terrain. The confluence is located directly east of Dungog, with flood levels along Myall Creek being heavily dependent on that of the Williams River.

Are you at risk from flooding?

Yes, you are!

The majority of flood effects in the North of Dungog are from flash flooding along Myall Creek, this can flood areas of Dungog independent of riverine flooding from the Williams River.

Few houses are situated on the floodplain of the Williams River, however coincident flooding of the Williams River and Myall Creek can exacerbate flood levels in the Myall Creek.

Is there a history of flooding?

Dungog has an extensive flood history, with flooding impacting the township on several occasions, most recently, in April 2015 in which catastrophic flooding occurred, resulting in three fatalities. The 2015 Event saw an approximate 0.1% AEP Flood occur on Myall Lake and a 20% event on the Williams River. Other significant floods have occurred in June 2007, February 1990 and March 1978.

What happens in Dungog and surrounds with Riverine Flooding

What happens in Dungog and surrounds with Riverine Flooding

To understand what happens in a Dungog flood, it is important that all residents and businesses know:

1. The name of their local flood gauge
2. Where to find the current river levels on the Bureau of Meteorology website
3. What consequences occur at different flood heights and what actions to take

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reads and refers to the Dungog (Williams River) gauge (210903).

Introduction

The Paterson River and its main tributary the Allyn River are significant features of the Hunter Valley. The river systems course through the fertile farming land of the Paterson and Allyn River Valleys. The Paterson and Allyn Rivers originate as mountainous streams in the Barrington Tops National Park and flow parallel in a general southerly direction until their confluence near Vacy. The Paterson River continues south through the rich Paterson Plains until its confluence with the Hunter River at Hinton. When the Hunter River is in Significant flood it can cause the Paterson River to back-up causing further low-lying flooding across the Hinton and Phoenix Park area.

Are you at risk from flooding?

Yes, you are!

A major levee system was constructed in the 1960s and 1970s by the Department of Public Works. The levee system is built on the major floodplains, beginning at the township of Tocal and continuing to the confluence of the Hunter River where it meets the Hunter River levee system. The levee system has a considerable influence on flood behaviour especially in smaller events, which are contained within the river by the levee system.

Is there a history of flooding?

Paterson has an extensive history of Major flooding, greatest of which was recorded in October 1978, where Gostwyck Bridge was read at 15.05. Serious flooding has occurred more recently in June 2007(13.60m) April 2015 (16.01m) and March 2021.

What happens in Paterson and surrounds with Riverine Flooding?

To understand what happens in a Paterson flood, it is important that all residents and businesses know:

1. The name of their local flood gauge
2. Where to find the current river levels on the Bureau of Meteorology website
3. What consequences occur at different flood heights and what actions to take?

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reads and refers to the Gostwyck Bridge gauge (210402).