Council staff have been onsite at Shoalhaven Heads for the pre-emptive mechanical intervention at the entrance of the Shoalhaven River and works have been completed.
These works were undertaken at this time given the Flood Watch projections provided by the Bureau of Meteorology through the Flood Scenarios Outlook, a receding high tide and the forecasted hazardous surf conditions that are scheduled to occur today and tomorrow.
The water level at Shoalhaven Heads was 0.98 metres AHD at 8.30 am (immediately before works commenced), 1.08 metres AHD at 9 am (approximate time that excavation of the pilot channel commenced) and 1.15 metres AHD at 10.30 am (at the time the works were at or near completion).
The water level is currently starting to fall and is remaining below the trigger of 2.0 metres AHD. In accordance with the Shoalhaven Heads Entrance Management Policy, and the forecasted rainfall, Council machinery will remain onsite and on standby over the coming days.
The shortest berm length was chosen, a pilot channel 4 metres wide and no more than 1 metres deep was excavated, and a plug was left in place on the river side. This is anticipated to permit the plug to overtop if the river level reaches the trigger level (2.0 metres).
The standby machinery will be utilised to remove the plug if this does not occur. The system is being closely monitored by Council's Flood Engineers and Coastal Engineers.
People are requested to stay outside of the work area and keep away from the edges of the dug channel and eroding banks following opening as these areas are very unstable and unsafe.
For emergency assistance due to flash flooding and storm damage, call NSW SES on 132 500. For life threatening emergencies including rescue, call 000.
Flood safe information can be accessed from the SES FloodSafe website.
For the latest weather forecast, visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.
