The flood warning network
Floods are a natural part of Australia's ecosystem. They can also bring deadly risk to communities and the economy.
Floods affect large parts of Australia and present complex challenges. That's why all levels of government work together to develop, maintain and deliver the national flood warning system.
We don't rely on any one observing system for our forecasts and warnings as all equipment can be vulnerable to extreme weather conditions. Rain and river gauges are part of a broad observation network used to generate forecasts and warnings, and provide continuous situational awareness for meteorologists, flood forecasters, emergency services and the community.
Our forecasters draw on a suite of observing and forecasting tools, including satellite imagery, weather radar data, surface rainfall observations and river height observations. This multilayered approach helps maintain continuity of service during severe weather events.
Understanding how much rain has fallen and the changing height of rivers are key inputs to the flood warning system. These are measured with a large network of rain and river gauges. Across Australia, there are more than 10,000 gauges. About one-third are owned by the Bureau.
Ownership and operation of the flood gauge network and data systems is complex. More than 150 organisations are involved in managing them, with arrangements varying across states and territories.
Operating and maintaining flood warning infrastructure, including the ingestion and use of data is a big job. Much of the equipment is in remote locations and can be challenging to access for service or repair. Under the terms of a 2018 Council of Australian Government (COAG) agreement, this repair is the responsibility of the gauge owners.
