Barrier Daily Truth

High and rising

Monday, 27th February, 2012

As the water rises at Menindee, authorities are preparing to deal with what they say could be the biggest floods in 36 years.

About 31,000 megalitres of water are flowing into the Menindee Lakes every day from the floods in the Gwydir and Border rivers valleys in November. 

But more floods to the north in January have created a second flood peak, now approaching Bourke.

Menindee’s mixed reactions

Monday, 20th February, 2012

NO WORRIES: Maiden’s Hotel licensee Noelene Ratcliff isn’t much worried about the impending floodwaters.

By Emily Roberts

Just how serious the threat from floodwaters coming from the north is in Menindee depends on who you ask in the town.

Maiden’s Hotel licensee, Noelene Ratcliff, has the Darling River near the back door - but she isn’t worried.

“It won’t hit the fence. Before the (levee) bank was put up, the water used to hit the box trees,” Ms Ratcliff said.

Have river, will flood

Saturday, 18th February, 2012

GOING UNDER: Doug Spencer on his property which has been filling up with water for the past fortnight. The tree on the left of the picture is normally “28 steps” from the river, he says.

By Emily Roberts

It will be another three or four weeks before more floodwaters come down to Menindee but some townsfolk are already moving out.

Broken Hill locals, Doug and Chicky Spencer, have a Menindee home right beside the Darling River. Yesterday they moved the last of their belongings to higher ground as the last part of their block filled with water.

Mr Spencer said it had been “creeping in for a fortnight” and was about 35 centimetres deep.