Lake Eyre filling quickly!

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Now that I have your attention.

Near record flooding in the Georgina River and the headwaters of the Diamantina River.

Does anyone know how long it might take for the water to start flowing into Lake Eyre?

Could be a good excuse for a get together in the William Creek pub!

Dr :8

[PLovett]

Guys from Kidmans once told me that flooding in the Georgina takes about 3 months to flow through to Lake Eyre. With the amount of rain they have had in the headwaters lately it might be a bit quicker this time perhaps.

[Obie]

Does anyone really care?
Apart from MRL homestead?
And it doesn't affect them either! :confused:

[Mick.B]

Yep I do. Its a magical site that only happens every now and then.

[FloRider]

oooo the william creek pub! Was that your bra hanging from the ceiling Dr?:E

[Flying Binghi]

Ya silly twit, how can there be floods...due to global warming we are in a drought situation - Not a flooding situation ....:hmm:

[Jabawocky]

Sounds like you been smokin something naughty FloRider!

Would make a good trip later in 2009!

J:ok:

[OZBUSDRIVER]

I have this urge to stand in the Goyder Groove and watch the water approach over the dry salt. Just once would be cool:ok:


Uhmmmm Thats the Warburton Groove before anyone shoots me.

[FloRider]

Not something naughty... but there is sweet F all to do whilst living out those ways. The William creek pub is a brilliant source of alcahol and if you have a vivid imagination like myself then the paraphernalia on the walls and roof can be very entertaining :E

[Spikey21]

The Noccundra pub used to be an interesting stop too :ok:

[WTA...]

Sounds like trev will be happy, I'll be down for the pelicans... get whitey to book us in.:ok:. but all this water in the gulf is flowing north... see ya there WTA...

[zube]

The pelicans will know. They materialise in thousands from out of nowhere.

[ausflyer]

The Noccundra pub used to be an interesting stop too.................................I can second that for sure.........them was the days:ok:

[Capt Claret]

Forkie, a news article read yesterday, suggeted that the current flood waters in the NW of QLD might not make it to Lake Eyre.

Having said that, the responsible low pressure system has reversed direction and is tipped (> prob50) to become a cyclone, so, probably, a lot more rain to come.

You may get your wish yet.

[185skywagon]

There are a lot of very dry swamps and creek beds to wet first.
The Diamantina will get down there fairly quickly, but it hasn't got a very big flood as yet. And it has to get through Goyders Lagoon.

The Georgina will take a long time to amble through Glengyle, Muncoonie and Alton downs before it gets to Goyders lagoon. That system is very wide and very shallow.
If the catchment gets more big falls a bit later, it will be a different story.
especially if the cyclone starts to spin up.

FTDK, was that your letter to the Ed in the latest QCL?

185

[tinpis]

Ooooerr...last time it filled Tracy had flattened Darwhine :uhoh:

[alphawhiskeytango]

If one was going to begin making tentative plans for a trip to the centre to see the water what advice can anyone give. I would be departing from Sth East Qld and at this stage a C182 would be the means of transport.

[Pinky the pilot]

The Noccundra pub used to be an interesting stop too

Certainly was an interesting place back in the 1980s when I was working on a Seismic Survey crew. (GSI 1847)

My name was written on the wall in the bar somewhere. Probably long gone by now.

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

FTDK, was that your letter to the Ed in the latest QCL?

Geez Cracker! Ya got some Rural Press shares, huh?

Ya just sent QCL sales through the roof!

Dr :8

[tinpis]

My name was written on the wall in the bar somewhere. Probably long gone by now.

Strange, all this talk of Noccundra :uhoh:

http://www.pprune.org/4636535-post3838.html

[Spikey21]

My name was written on the wall in the bar somewhere. Probably long gone by now.

Mine was on the ceiling, got dakked while putting it there. That was on the same day that they reversed the grader over the septic tank and it collapsed, never seen so many flies in my life :E

[185skywagon]

Geez Cracker! Ya got some Rural Press shares, huh?

Ya just sent QCL sales through the roof!

Dr

Negative, my dear Professor.
Just a regular reader of the Agrarian Socialist Weekly.

185 :E

[BEACH KING]

"The Noccundra pub used to be an interesting stop too http://static.pprune.org/images/smilies/thumbs.gif"

Nothin's changed. Still a great place.
Had to go there on two ocassions last year. Some of the best people you will ever meet live out that way.

[185skywagon]

Ya not the only to have had a sore head at Nocca, Beachy.:\

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

According to tonight's ABC news, the water has reached Birdsville!

Dr :8

[Jabawocky]

185
QCL..........

Sharp as a Tack you are old mate ;) :ok:

J:ok:

[BEACH KING]

"Ya not the only to have had a sore head at Nocca, Beachy.http://static.pprune.org/images/smilies/wibble.gif"

The sore head wasn't too bad, but combining it with the riding of horse and 450 MX bike in the Ghymkhana caused me some angst:suspect::\

[Capt_CheeseDick]

Yep, the Pelicans are on the move in southern Vic.
They've sensed it alright!
Incredible how they've sensed it and all while a massive monsoon trough lies across the north.
Here goes the big migration:ok:

[PPRuNeUser0161]

Settle down boys, no birds are moving, no fish ar swimming. Wait about 3 to 4 months and see if any more rain has fallen further south and assess it then.

Its a long way to LE and an awfull lot of water is required to go anywhere near filling it!

SN

[DaisyDuck]

http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/rivers/lake-eyre/pubs/leb-map.pdf

[Ultralights]

this thread is useless without pics! :}

[Wally Mk2]

.........well go out & get some pix 'ultralights' in yr ultralight:}






Wmk2

[Ultralights]

dont worry, im thinking about it, if i can get leave and borrow a 230, i will!

[Jabawocky]

Pics you wanted......... here they are minus the H2O!

These were Oct 07.

http://file048b.bebo.com/5/large/2009/01/11/12/4525920200a9844728913l.jpg

http://file048b.bebo.com/5/large/2009/01/11/12/4525920200a9844728957l.jpg

http://file048b.bebo.com/5/large/2009/01/11/12/4525920200a9844728982l.jpg

http://file048b.bebo.com/5/large/2009/01/11/12/4525920200a9844729015l.jpg

J:ok:

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Don't know about the lake, but here's a waterhole!

http://www.fototime.com/A27CCF920CACA53/standard.jpg

Dr :8

[Worrals in the wilds]

Do they still do the seven course dinner (six pack 'n' a pie)?
And sell the 'Save Trees - Burn a Greenie' bumper stickers?

[Jabawocky]

and if you take a photo in there its a gold coin in the RFDS can! :ok:

[morno]

Did you cough up Forkie? :hmm:

And to think they take most of that stuff down for the race weekend. Must be a big job putting it all back up!!

morno

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Did you cough up Forkie? http://static.pprune.org/images/smilies/yeees.gif

Yes, indeed! A generous reduction in TOW!

Dr :8

[FloRider]

I thought you were talking about the William Creek Pub Forkie! That looks somewhat like the Birdsville pub if my blurry memory serves me right.:} Both fine watering holes never the less!

[tipsy2]

It actually says "Birdsville" on one of the banners/towels on the ceiling.

Forkie telling a porkie:=

Many years ago (mid 70's) in the middle of the lake I was given traffic as a P3 heading south towards ED at the same altitude. P3 most upset when I 'sighted' them at about 10 miles. Dirty engines were a dead giveaway. This was pre transponders and he couldn't see me.

tipsy

[FloRider]

indeed it does tipsy! the dead give-away for me was the roseberth and betoota signs on the rafters. William creek pub looks a little more like the big bad wolf could huff and puff and blow it right down :p

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Forkie telling a porkie:=

Geez, gimmie a break! Did I say anything other than "a waterhole"?

I've never been to William Ck, but plan to correct that. Was gonna land there in 2007 but Jabba was too busy dodging misiles!

So far it is looking like: Out via the Betoota and Birdsville "waterholes" and back the Nocatunga "waterhole"!

I think the Dig Tree is gonna have to fit in there somewhere too!

Dr :8

[Capt Claret]

Forkie, is the Betoota water hole open? Last time I drove that way, some years ago, it was closed tight as. :sad:

[BEACH KING]

You won't get much water'in done at Betoota, O forked one. Betoota hasn't been trading since Simon (dec) stopped trading many years ago (the precise year escapes me).
If you wan't to look at the lake (if any water gets to it...which I very much doubt) I would suggest overnight, water and look about at Birdsville, then follow the Diamantina down to William creek, Then have a gander at the lake and follow the Cooper back up to Windorah. You can organize some fuel (and maybe overnight) at Innamincka if you need to. I've done that trip several times and allways enjoy it.:)

[Worrals in the wilds]

If you're near Innamincka...
There's some nice spots along Cooper Creek and the Coongie Lakes are meant to be good too, though I haven't actually been to them. (dunno about A/C access to Coongie)

The Dig tree is well worth a look but it doesn't say DIG anymore, the tree regenerated and the inscription is no longer visible. You (being a smart person) may already know this, but I didn't, and spent the better part of a fly-blown hour looking for it on every Coolibah tree in the vicinity. :\

The portrait tree carving is still easy to see and it's a lovely waterhole.

Apropos of puddles, Innamincka was completely cut off by flood water the year before last, stranding a few dozen tourists for several days. I was travelling through after the water had receded, and was told that the mood among the mostly city-dwelling stranded had become testy (to say the least) and the pub had frantically organized games competitions and movie nights to avoid any 'Lord of the Flies' moments. :eek:

[tinpis]

Never ceases to amaze me how some people will spend good money visiting places that most normally would be happy to pay double to get out of. :hmm:

[Worrals in the wilds]

Visiting's fine, but the 'getting out of' is a vital part of the plan and the enjoyment... big difference between staying two days and twenty years :}
I'm interested in arid / semi-arid landscapes, flora and fauna. Sad but true.
The far west is also wonderfully peaceful compared to the city and generally seems to have a lower d:mad:khead ratio.

[tinpis]

generally seems to have a lower dk:mad:head ratio.

Its fast filling with Aeroplanes and 4WD types tho.....:rolleyes:

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

You won't get much water'in done at Betoota

Bugger! Its been on my list of places to visit for 35 years!

Thanks for all the good advice. The flightplan now looks like:

Longreach - Birdsville - William Creek - Innaminka - Nappamerie Dig Tree - Nockatunga - Windorah - Longreach

Dr :8

[Capt Claret]

Don't be too sure that Betoota's a no go.

Mrs C's sister and hubby owned the Arrabury Pastoral Company in the 50's & 60's and lived at Mt Leonard (Betoota). One niece in particular was wanting to buy the pub off Simon and turn it into a Road House (watering hole) but some one beat her to it. Whether it's been made operational, I can't say.

[Dick N. Cider]

http://www.portrait.gov.au/exhibit/moore/img/races.jpg

Drink at Betoota ceased 2004

Exhaustive search for info (typed "Betoota" in Google) reveals little more

DNC:}

[Worrals in the wilds]

Sounds good.
You may want to book accomodation in Birdsville and Innamincka, as there isn't a lot and it fills up quickly (even though it's low season).

The word around my campfire was that the Diamantina Shire Council didn't want to revive Betoota due to the prohibitive cost of providing infrastructure. The road between BDV and Betoota is also ugly and they didn't want to encourage more traffic by providing fuel. All second hand, but from a source that worked for the Council. I understand they rebuffed several offers.

[tinpis]

Theres is always other little "B gems" you can visit
Boulia and Bedourie spring to mind :hmm:

[Pinky the pilot]

Theres is always other little "B gems" you can visit
Boulia and Bedourie spring to mind

The pub at Boulia on a saturday night is certainly an 'interesting' place.:ok::E:hmm:

And I know of one fellow Ppruner who was stuck at Bedourie for a few days. Has a few interesting stories to tell.

[cam]

Innamincka hotel has just finished new motel units, not too bad either

[OZBUSDRIVER]

Sad to hear ol' Simon passed on. Sigmund Bowenko..supposedly the only man who knew how many twenty dollar bills fit into a 44. Shame, you could drive past at two in the morning and pull up and Simon would sell you a XXXX.:sad:

I see they changed the bar at the BDV pub. Bit gawdy looking, must be for the tourists.

PS. The second guy from the right in DnC's piccie is pretty famous in those parts too.

PPS ah crud, my memory must be going....Simon Remienko...but he stillknew how many 20's fitted into a 44.

[morno]

Bringing this one back to the top......


IDS20370
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT - BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY
SOUTH AUSTRALIA REGIONAL OFFICE

FLOOD ADVICE FOR INLAND RIVERS
Issued at 3:10 pm on Friday, 30 January 2009

1. FLOOD ADVICE :
DIAMANTINA RIVER SYSTEM
Floodwaters that have been travelling down the Diamantina River during recent
weeks reached the Queensland/South Australia border at Birdsville late last
week. Upstream at Roseberth Station, river levels are steady above Major flood
level. At Birdsville the Diamantina River peaked on Saturday 24/01 at about 6.5
metres and is back up to Moderate flood level [6.14] and rising to an expected
peak around 6.8 metres over the next few days.

Floodwaters have reached Goyder's Lagoon in South Australia and are expected to
progress towards Lake Eyre in the coming weeks.

GEORGINA/EYRE CREEK SYSTEM
There has been Major flooding along much of the Georgina River in Queensland
during recent weeks. The river levels are falling slowly with Moderate to
Majjor flooding along Eyre Creek between Bedourie and Glengyle. Moderate
flooding continues to ease slowly at Bedourie. Major flooding continues to ease
in Eyre Creek downstream of Glengyle, where at 6am the river level was 4.7
metres. River levels are expected to ease very slowly during next week

Floodwaters on Eyre Creek are expected to reach the South Australian border in
about one to two weeks time.

So looks like Lake Eyre may get a bit of a filling, :ok::ok:

morno

[tinpis]

First time I saw Eyre in flood was with the late great Bruce Bret.....n showing me the ropes(beer drinking companion) on the mail run.Anyone remember him ?
What a great trip and interesting characters at the BDV pub them days

[Dick Smith]

Listen to Macca on Australia All Over tomorrow morning for the latest update.

We have just been flying over the area to the north of Birdsville. It looks as if Ayre Ck will close the Simpson Desert track to the west of Big Red and then join the Warburton and flow into Lake Ayre.

Incredible amount of water around- at least 6 sidarbs.

[tinpis]

How many Lakargles is that Dick? :hmm:

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Off topic - but what the heck, its my thread anyway!

On the subject of water, there are reportedly 3 olympic swimming pools per second going over the Burdekin Falls dam wall. Sorry - don't know how many sidarbs that would be.

The FTDK and I will be heading to Alice the last week of March, so it would seem that tracking via Lake Eyre will be the go!

Dr :8

[bushy]

You'll have to watch for pelicans. They don't have radio or transponders. And there may be a few thousand of them.
Or none.

[tinpis]

....and mostly cruising at 9000' just at the top of the turb....:uhoh:

[Peter Fanelli]

First time I saw Eyre in flood was with the late great Bruce Bret.....n showing me the ropes(beer drinking companion) on the mail run.Anyone remember him ?


Yep, Sure do remember him.
Another of South Australia's aviation identities from what I consider to be the good old days.

[alphawhiskeytango]

Any photos Dick?

[jportzer]

there are reportedly 3 olympic swimming pools per second going over the Burdekin Falls dam wall. Sorry - don't know how many sidarbs that would be.

Quick calculation shows that flow rate would be about 1.15 sydharbs per day (assuming the pool is 2.5 ML).
A few orders of magnitude above your average fuel flow calcs...

[185skywagon]

It looks as if Ayre Ck will close the Simpson Desert track to the west of Big Red and then join the Warburton and flow into Lake Ayre.


Dick,
Eyre Creek and Lake Eyre.

Saw some photos taken on Thursday/Friday by your Charleville passenger.

Looks good, but you will be surprised how long it takes the Eyre Ck to get to Goyder's Lagoon, and how much water will disappear through soakage and evaporation.

I may have a couple of water bird surveys coming up in the next couple of months. I shall keep you posted.

The 500 looks good. Have they done away with the nosewheel deflectors because the engines are mounted higher??

185.

[Desert Flower]

I may have a couple of water bird surveys coming up in the next couple of months. I shall keep you posted.

Hey Skywagon - ya swimmin' in the back yard up there yet?!

DF.

[185skywagon]

DF,
I haven't been there yet. Our 210 did a supply run to Bedourie this week.
Pete says that the water is fairly impressive around there at the moment.
We are fairly dry round the south west area and could do with a bit of rain.

185.

[tinpis]

1 sidarb/5 hours :uhoh:

Massive dam overflow threatens further N Qld flooding - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/06/2484820.htm)

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Pics of floodwater surrounding Birdsviile on the TV news tonight!

150mm (6") falls of rain from Longreach to Cloncurry again in the last couple of days!

Dr :8

[Yusef Danet]

what websites (other than pprune) can we use to keep an eye on the lake to plan a trip there?

[alphawhiskeytango]

Can anyone update the situation as to the whereabouts of the floodwater and the liklihood of it reaching Lake Eyre.

[OZBUSDRIVER]

Heard on the radio today. Commodore of the Lake Eyre Yacht Club has had advice that water will reach Lake Eyre in two weeks. It will only be about a metre deep, according to the yachties...they are disappointed that it will not be a big enough fill to sail on.

[185skywagon]

We have some photos on our website.

Tailwheel, can I put a link to our company website for the photos?


outback rivers (http://www.outbackairtours.com/Rivers.htm)

[Pedota]

Yusef Danet - I've been watching the Lake Eyre Yacht Club site - Lake Eyre Yacht Club (http://www.lakeeyreyc.com/) (see "news and lake status" tab) and intend going out there as soon as it is in flood.

However, one of my mates who is a rather very senior at BoM person, suggests that we're tailing off from La Nina phase now and starting to head for the next El Nino peak in a few years time. He reckons the best chance of flooding was probably this summer just passed.

But whoever listened to the Met people.

Cheers

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

However, one of my mates who is a rather very senior at BoM person, suggests that we're tailing off from La Nina phase now and starting to head for the next El Nino peak in a few years time.

..... and that bit of inspiration came to him because it has stopped raining in Nth Qld!

Dr :8

[185skywagon]

Forkie,
porbably that woger stein bloke from USQ. He is a doom merchant.

Do you reckon you would have enough info to start a thread on the disaster that faces the gulf properties and communities??

I just don't think we are getting the correct info from the Capt and her team.

Having been up in the southern gulf a few times, I can only just begin to imagine the damage and losses on the lower gulf river systems.

185.

[multime]

Once apon a time i again got screwed by a magnificiant company basing its sad aircraft out of Maree, bottom of Lake Eyre for those not aware.
Boss at that time ( In Central Time) had a brand new HSV. I had 5 $ in my pocket. Wrong, just wrong. Centrally i guess.???
Lifes better now i,m not in the Slingair, Alligator,Gunbalanya,Chartair, bull****, 220$ per week crap.
Who cares.
Its a lake - Seen it dry , seen it full.
Bit like Ayres Rock.
Its only a rock.
Yours
Negectivly.
Multi:ok:
But living in hope.

[Desert Flower]

Once apon a time i again got screwed by a magnificiant company basing its sad aircraft out of Maree, bottom of Lake Eyre for those not aware.

multime, the place you are talking about is Marree, not Maree. It was originally called Her(r)gott Springs. I would say at a guess I have met you at some (Central) time. ;)

DF.

[Fark'n'ell]

multime

Its a lake - Seen it dry , seen it full.
Bit like Ayres Rock.
Its only a rock.
Will you please tell the global warming enthuiasts about this phenomen. I am sure they will disagree.:ok:

[Peter Fanelli]

Boss at that time ( In Central Time) had a brand new HSV. I had 5 $ in my pocket. Wrong, just wrong.


It's wrong that the boss had more money than you?

[BEACH KING]

"However, one of my mates who is a rather very senior at BoM person, suggests that we're tailing off from La Nina phase now and starting to head for the next El Nino peak in a few years time. He reckons the best chance of flooding was probably this summer just passed."

Weather reports are Horoscopes with numbers on them
Meteorologist- fortune teller with a Uni degree

[Desert Flower]

Meteorologist- fortune teller with a Uni degree

Little boys that tell lies grow up to be meteorologists! ;)

DF

[Pinky the pilot]

Back in the early 80s when I did my CPL theory at YPFL TAFE the lecturer was, amongst other things, a qualified Meteorologist.

One of his favourite sayings when doing the CPL/SCPL Met subjects was to refer to met forecasts thus;
''...so when you go into the briefing office and get the current 'fairy tale'......''

[bushy]

The met section of the briefing office in Adelaide used to have a crystal ball on the counter, with CB's drawn on it. It got a few laughs.

[Towering Q]

I remember speaking to a station owners wife who told me they were going to get a lot of rain soon because the "computer modules" at the Bureau of Met said so.:uhoh:

[Pedota]

Back to the top . . . does anyone have more information about the probabiity of water reaching Lake Eyre in reasonable volumes?

Thanks

Pedota

[wish2bflying]

The Australian - Photo galleries and slideshows - Lake Eyre refills (http://media.theaustralian.com.au/multimedia/2009/02/24-lakeeyre/index.html)

Behold ....

[Pedota]

Many thanks - it is look promising this time. I also saw Trevor Wright's comments in the related The Australian artice - he is talking it up.

cheers

Pedota

[Its the Pleats]

Multime, you are a total wacko! Can't even be bothered to explain why...

[twodogsflying]

PNG has the best forecasters in the world by far!!!

They have the science down pat.....

Current TAF on any given day is exactly what happened yesterday

Never wrong!!:D

[7mile]

That doesn't apply at Tokua. Sometimes there's ash, sometimes there aint.

They have 2 TAF versions.:rolleyes:

[Pedota]

Speaking of forecasts . . . in the olden days when I was doing my night VFR rating in a rainy and cold Perth winter I called up Flight Service (anyone remember them?) to get a forecast and possibly submit my flight plan. After declaring what I intended doing that night the guy at the other end took a deep breath and wistfully said “Do have a fireplace at home?”. I said yes, somewhat puzzled. He quickly added “And a bottle of port – because that’s where you should be”. It was good advice and I now thank him for his wisdom.

[Desert Flower]

Many thanks - it is look promising this time. I also saw Trevor Wright's comments in the related The Australian artice - he is talking it up.

Of course he is, & why wouldn't he when it will hopefully give him some much needed work? I spoke to him this morning, & he said the water started flowing into the lake two days ago. Of course how much & for how long is anyone's guess. However people wanting to see it by air are going to be seriously limited in their choices of refuelling points, with no fuel available at Leigh Creek. And was also told yesterday that there is none available at Birdsville either, & they won't be getting any more in until the roads are open again.

DF.

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Anyone know the fuel status at Innaminka, William Ck and Maree?

Dr :8

[Desert Flower]

Anyone know the fuel status at Innaminka, William Ck and Maree?

Will make some phone calls & find out for you.

DF.

[185skywagon]

There is one drum at Innamincka with my name on it for locust surveys.
Trevor would probably have some at William Ck, by arrangement.

Marree would also be by arangement, drums.

Birdsville is loading avgas and jet out of here tomorrow in anticipation of the roads opening early next week, Bulk.
Windorah is getting some more over the weekend, Bulk.
Tibooburra has Avgas, Bulk.
Boulia has Avgas, Bulk. Contact the Council.


Moomba is off limits to most.

[Flintstone]

Reminds me of one night in '97(?) on the AirNorth newspaper run between Katherine and Tennant Creek when the cloud layer beneath me broke up to reveal the reflection of the moon. I absolutely sh1t myself :eek: Thought I'd somehow managed to fly a 180 degree error (for over two hours) and was on my way to PNG.

:( Bl00dy idiot.

[Desert Flower]

From phone calls I have just made: Marree - none. Innamincka - none, they only get in what's ordered. Still waiting to hear back from Trev.

Word from Trev is that he has Avgas available via a bowser, & Jet A1 in drums.

DF.

[Jabawocky]

There is one drum at Innamincka with my name on it for locust surveys.

Well we shall just tell them 185 said we could borrow some :E :ok:

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

There is one drum at Innamincka with my name on it for locust surveys.

"Hey mate, that drum there with Crapper written on it, that's for me, eh! I'm gonna count grasshoppers for him"!:E

Dr :8

[Desert Flower]

"Hey mate, that drum there with Crapper written on it, that's for me, eh! I'm gonna count grasshoppers for him"!

And when you've used the contents, the drum will still be there with his name on it! ;)

DF.

[They call me Bruce]

Trev does have Bowser AVGAS.

[tlf]

I do?

hmmmmm

[Goat Whisperer]

tlf...

are you saying the avgas at William Creek comments are incorrect?

[185skywagon]

Drum at Innamincka gone, but not by me. :(
Birdsville should have more fuel sometime this week.

If you are going up that way, you have to go and look at the Glengyle-Muncoonie area. Once in a lifetime stuff.

The last peak in the Diamantina is around Roseberth as of yesterday.

Will post some shots soon.

Boulia price was about $2.15/L.
YTIB $2.35/L
YWDH $1.75/L.

[philipnz]

Sail-World.com : The World's strangest yacht club to sail again (http://www.sail-world.com/NZ/The-Worlds-strangest-yacht-club-to-sail-again/54354)

[185skywagon]

A few shots.
Lake Mipia in early 2007.
http://www.skywagon.info/webshots/2009/webmipiakooliv0307.jpg
Lake Mipia in Feb2009.
http://www.skywagon.info/webshots/2009/mipiaweb1.jpg
Bedourie March 2009.
http://www.skywagon.info/webshots/2009/webbedourie1.jpg
Glengyle looking SW.
http://www.skywagon.info/webshots/2009/webglengyle4.jpg
Hunters Gorge up at Diamantina Lakes.
http://www.skywagon.info/webshots/2009/webhuntersgorge.jpg

185.

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Good pics 185. I was out in that country for the tail end of the '74 floods - working on Davenport next door to Diamantina Lakes.

Hunters Gorge up at Diamantina Lakes

I could never figure out why it was called Diamantina Lakes, when there were no apparent lakes !!!!

The property was oringinally called Diamantina Gates - reflecting the fact that the river was forced through a relatively narrow gorge at that point. Sometime way back when, the "Gates" became "Lakes" - probably after a major flood event.

Dr :8

[Keg]

Flew over last Saturday enroute BNE-PER and it looked like the water was only starting to flow into Lake Eyre. Should be speccie when it fills a bit higher but I note a recent report that indicated that it may not fill.

[185skywagon]

More shots taken this week.
Sandhill near Windorah.
http://www.skywagon.info/webshots/2009/webCooperwdh.JPG
Diamantina near Durrie.
http://www.skywagon.info/webshots/2009/webDiamantinadurrie1.jpg
Near Durrie.
http://www.skywagon.info/webshots/2009/webDiamantinadurrie.jpg
Glengyle.
http://www.skywagon.info/webshots/2009/webglenglyle2.jpg
Near Cluny.
http://www.skywagon.info/webshots/2009/webcluny1.jpg

185.

[Racetrack]

Here is another view ...
YouTube - Georgina (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=lBhvi5Uo1FU)

[OBH]

Top footage there! :D

[Chimbu chuckles]

The same video footage with a very interesting narrative.

YouTube - Georgina with Angus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtuWweq-EdE&NR=1)

[kingRB]

ooh you can play that vid in high quality too - nice! :ok:

[Peter Fanelli]

And here's me thinking that was a video about a certain QF pilot with Angus. :O

[Desert Flower]

And here's me thinking that was a video about a certain QF pilot with Angus.

Exactly the same thoughts as I had PF!

DF.

[185skywagon]

Re: Youtube footage
Um, I don't think Bedourie air "charter" actually as an AOC or Low level permit.

[ozaggie]

Funny how the vid got pulled off YouTube after some-one mentioned the nasty letters AOC. :}

[Jabawocky]

Its still there!

Prolly a private flight at 500'

[185skywagon]

Jaba,
Must be big Coolibah trees, then. Not even the Monkira Monster is so big that it can be seen just out the window at 500 ft. :E

[alphawhiskeytango]

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT - BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY
SOUTH AUSTRALIA REGIONAL OFFICE

FLOOD ADVICE FOR INLAND RIVERS
Issued at 1:05 pm on Friday, 13 March 2009

1. FLOOD ADVICE :
Water continues to flow into Lake Eyre via both the Warburton Groove and the
Kalaweerina Channel. In the Warburton Groove water is now approaching the top
of Belt Bay, near Hughes Island, and is beginning to splay out across the lake
floor. Water is also beginning to splay out from the Kalaweerina Channel.

Water is now flowing down Kallakoopah Creek and the sandhill lakes at the top of
Lake Eyre are filling. Water continues to flow back up the Macumba River.

Upstream at Birdsville renewed river rises peaked earlier in the week and are
now feeding more water into Goyder's Lagoon.

At Glengyle in Queensland the river levels in Eyre Creek are falling. High
river levels will continue in the coming weeks, flowing through the dune country
and into Goyder's Lagoon.

Water will continue to flow into Lake Eyre during the coming months.

Would anybody with local knowledge care to elaborate on what this all means in terms of comparing this flood to others?

[185skywagon]

Bigger than 2007 but not as big as 2000, would be my guess.

[alphawhiskeytango]

Thanks 185. In terms of surface coverage what could one expect to see by early April? Will the water cover the lake floor?

[Walrus 7]

Can anyone out there give us an update on the water? I'm hoping to get there in the second week of June. Will the water still be there then?

Walrus

[strim]

Was up that way on Friday, got these 2 shots at 14000' over the southern end of the lake tracking south-west.



http://www.users.on.net/~theading/LakeEyre1.JPG


http://www.users.on.net/~theading/LakeEyre2.JPG

Not great quality pics but gives you an idea of the current status. One of the locals up that way said the water won't hang around for much longer, how valid that statement is anyones guess...

[el_capitano]

Good old Kenny Cobden will be a happy man with the Lake filling and all.

[bizzybody]

itsa a real shame but Ken is not flying anymore. He is not in a good way at the moment.:(

[Desert Flower]

itsa a real shame but Ken is not flying anymore. He is not in a good way at the moment.

Sorry to hear that. I have known Ken & his family for many years.

DF.

[el_capitano]

Sorry to hear about Ken not doing well. He sure loved his Aerostar, is Cobden Air still operating or have they gone by the by.

[bizzybody]

when i say not doing too well he is not about to die... he sold the aerostar and chieftain (which was written off when the pilot forgot to take out the control lock before take off).

he is generally doing fine but just starting to show some age. Rose is doing fine.

they are not trading anymore. CASA said they were going to put in 2 inspectors on his next check flight and it was then he realised they were after him. ITs a real shame because there is nothing he doesnt know about the aerostar and a lovely family to talk to

[Brian Abraham]

Cobden Air Service - Home Page (http://www.cobdenair.com.au)
Still advertising, fleet one Aerostar.

[bizzybody]

yeah the site is still there but he no longer has the CP approval and no medical. Rose does some broking work and thats about it

[Ovation]

Flew over Lake Eyre and then up to Birdsville last week. Lots of cloud over the lake, which cleared the further we travelled to the NE. The tributaries in flood are more spectacular than Lake Eyre IMHO.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff123/OvationGX2/LakeEyre200905192.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff123/OvationGX2/LakeEyre2009051929-1.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff123/OvationGX2/LakeEyre2009051926.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff123/OvationGX2/LakeEyre2009051918.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff123/OvationGX2/LakeEyre200905193.jpg

[rioncentu]

I will second what Ovation says. The lake is good. But the water to the north in the desert is the best part !

We were there a month or so ago. It is definitely worth the trip.

[Paul Alfred]

Totally Agree.....Eyre Creek, The Diamantina and Goyders Lagoon are also a beautiful site. Watch out for the Pelican flocks...they are on the move from Bedourie/ Glengyle Station North of BDV....hundreds of them.

Cheers ;)

PA

[Desert Flower]

Totally Agree.....Eyre Creek, The Diamantina and Goyders Lagoon are also a beautiful site. Watch out for the Pelican flocks...they are on the move from Bedourie/ Glengyle Station North of BDV....hundreds of them.

Hey PA - got that AC endo yet? The hardest part is learning how to taxi one!

DF.

[Paul Alfred]

You dont miss a thing do ya ;) Should be on line in a couple of weeks. A lot better for the job at hand.

Cheers DF

PA

[Desert Flower]

You dont miss a thing do ya ;) Should be on line in a couple of weeks. A lot better for the job at hand.

Heheh - still listening! ;) Planning on catching up with the other driver tomorrow. And yes, it will be a better one for the job!

DF.

[Paul Alfred]

Just got a fax through tonight saying that the strip at Mungerannie has been closed till further notice due to damage from increased traffic to Lake Eyre using the strip. A white Cross has been placed near the Windsock adjacent to RWY Threshold of 35.

Regards,

PA

[multime]

Bit of local knowledge doesn,t go astray.
Well done.
Say gidday to your team in charleville.
Great posts.:D
Regards
Multi

[Desert Flower]

Just got a fax through tonight saying that the strip at Mungerannie has been closed till further notice due to damage from increased traffic to Lake Eyre using the strip. A white Cross has been placed near the Windsock adjacent to RWY Threshold of 35.

Yes, I guess that had to happen. Marree has been identified as a high risk airport due to the increased traffic too. As a result, their insurance has gone up. The landing charges have been upped from $11.00 per single engine to $16.00, & from $16.00 to $20.00 for twins to help cover the cost. Only problem is that the charges are collected via an honesty box at the airport, & I wonder how many people are honest enough to put their money in it.

DF.

[alphawhiskeytango]

Any updates on the strip at Mungerannie or any of the other strips in the local vacinity for that matter? Planning a trip out that way in the near future and would like to know which ones to avoid.

[mpl_yz250]

Just an update for anyone planning a trip to Lake Eyre. I have just returned from a charter trip up there and it appears to be dropping just as quickly now. I was up there 5 weeks ago on another trip and there was a lot more coverage back then. From the Warbuton Creek there only seems to be a stream running from the Warbuton mouth down the western side to the lower part of the North Lake. I'd guess the levels may have only dropped by a few inches, but that amount is certianly enough to cover a large amount of the flatter areas.
To see any sign of bird life head north up the Warbuton Creek and in the lakes areas approx 30nm north to north east of the lake.

Cheers mpl_yz250

[PLovett]

MS

Yes there is a bigger story to Mungerannie being closed. No, I am not going to elaborate as it reflects poorly on all concerned except the owners who finally decided that they had had enough.

It is a private airstrip and it does not receive public funding. It was getting very rough due to increased usage and the lack of rain which would have enabled it to be rolled.

The decision to close the strip was the owners and they are quite entitled to make that decision.

[Capt Claret]

Just returned from 3 weeks driving through the region. Fantastic trip.

We took a scenic flight ex William Ck, water was almost at the shore at Halligan Bay, 50 klicks east of WCK. Not much bird life though.

We saw multitudes of birds, pelicans, ducks, egrets (I think), and cormorants on some water holes near Betoota.

WCK strip was in good nick.

[goin'flyin]

Any news on current situation with the Lake. I'm meant to be heading out that way from Sydney on Sunday for a look around with the aircraft owner and family. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[alphawhiskeytango]

I was there last Sunday and whilst the water level has dropped it is still certainly spectacular. My advice would be not to miss the Warburton River north of the lake and the Gouyder Lagoon near Clifton Hills. The contrast between desert and floodplain is stunning. It is here that the birds are more prevalent as well.

Trevor Wright at Wrights Air was more than willing to offer advice and he should be applauded for that.

[PLovett]

The photograph is from the road.

If you really did drive down the strip then you were trespassing.

[Yak_slapper]

I landed at Mungerannie a couple days before it was closed and wasnt surprised when i heard that it was. The amount of traffic that had been going through the place was just incredible.

If the owners have repaired the strip i'm sure the landing fee's recovered would have only been just enough to repair the strip back to above a bone jarring standard.

Dont forget these strips are the safety net for people living and traveling through the area. If the owner doesnt want to open it up again to large volumes of traffic then its their call.

ys

[Capt Claret]

The folk at Mungerannie seemed quite pleasant when I camped there in June with Mrs C. Perhaps "certain commercial operators" have abused their hospitality.

Just a thought?

[Desert Flower]

It's only closed for "selected" operators.

The last I heard it was only OPEN to "selected" operators - i.e. the RFDS & the mail plane. So does this mean that everyone else is ignoring the white cross that I was told had been put out?

DF.

[PlankBlender]

Hi fellow aviators :}

seeking advice/health check for a planned trip to Uluru via Lake Eyre, probably week after next, in the trusty Archer:

YBAF DCT Cunnamulla to refuel, on DCT Leigh Creek for refuel/overnight (if possible romantic under wing camping with Ms PB :p), from there via the Lake and Warburton River to another refuelling stop at Oddnadatta, finally DCT to YAYE.

Any updates on water levels, spots not to miss on the way, etc.?

:ok:

[185skywagon]

Avgas at CMU is pricey. No fuel available at Leigh Creek.
Fuel at Coober, William Ck(by arrangement), Marree(drum if available), Oodnawoopwoop by arrangement, YTGM, YINN(drum)by arrangement, YBHI(new BP swipe), YBDV(check for availability), YTIB (small tanker).
185.

[alphawhiskeytango]

$1.85/L at Thargo last week and then only a short hop to Noccundra Pub which has good accom and friendly atmosphere.

[goin'flyin]

If you thought getting AVGAS was difficult, try getting JetA1 out in that area. :ugh:

[sms777]

You CAN fly a turbine on avgas for a little while to get yourself out of trouble but it will not work the other way around though.

:ok:

[j3pipercub]

sms777

Just cos the flight manual says you can, doesn't mean the boss will let you...

[Krazy]

Anyone been out to the Lake lately? I might have the chance to fly out that way in about 10 days time and just wondering whether it is still worthwhile? (nothing that I was there in January when there was no water). Is there still water in it? Much wildlife?

TIA.

[PLovett]

Still has some water (Belt Bay and Jackboot Bay and to the north as far as Dulhunty Island) but going fast due to evaporation. There are also some birds on the lake but they are going fast too as the salinity level in the lake rises. :uhoh:

Best place to see birds is along the Warburton Creek to the north of the lake. You can also see all the dead camels they shot yesterday as part of the culling programme up that way as well as the one that was stranded in the mud near Dulhunty Island.:sad:

[mostlytossas]

Was up there last weekend and agree with the above post about where the water is etc. It seems to be evaporating rapidly now to the point of asking yourself if it is worth the expense of the trip, as there is much more dry lake to lake under water. The tour operators would disagree no doubt but then they want to wring every last cent out of it.
William creek is always a welcome watering hole and still quite busy.:ok:

[PlankBlender]

Just got back from a superb tour to the Rock and the lake, we were amazed by the size and especially the colours.. had to fly half way down the lake from the north to get to the water, but the excursion was well worth it. With the viewing angle, the water/lake/ground changes colour from a deep blue to purple to almost bright red, and some of the shore/dune bits where the water has receded from have very picturesque red borders one them. Will post some pictures here once I've had a chance of sorting the wheat from the chaff.. still plenty of water, at 500 feet you're hard pressed to see the far shore, the thing is positively massive!

Route was Archerfield-Roma-Charleville-Birdsville-Alice Springs-Ayers Rock-Oodnadatta-Lake Eyre-Birdsville-Charleville-Archerfield, we cursed a 20-30 westerly on the way out and enjoyed the 130-140 knots ground speed on the way back.

I can totally recommend the trip, awesome scenery, great hospitality (love the Birdsville Hotel bar), fantastic night skies, the list is endless! :ok:

Also had a million to one chance encounter on the way back yesterday with what looked like a low flying PC-12 or a Navajo/Chieftain in the middle of nowhere.. in between Birdsville and Charleville, right in the middle of fecking nowhere, my passenger suddenly went 'woooooow' and when I looked up I saw for a second a fast mid-sized plane going left to right around 400-500 feet above us, around half a mile to a mile in front of us. Don't ask me why I can't put my finger on the type more accurately, I think I was a bit stunned there for a second to suddenly see another aeroplane up close in that spot, I think I saw the turbine exhaust of the PC-12 glistening in the sun and thought I recognised the general shape of the type but could be mistaken.. odd for one of those to be at 10000, we were at 9500..

That little 'airprox' brought home the importance of regular broadcasts on area and 126.7, even when in over 25 hours of flying we ever only physically saw this one aeroplane in the sky (heard a few on the radio obviously), and that wasn't for lack of looking out either, we had on average four eyeballs looking out at all times...

I wonder if the other pilot had me sighted or on TCAS if he/she had one?!

[The Green Goblin]

So does all this flooding in QLD equal a good filling in the near future?

[Pilotette]

Apparently there has already been a bit of a top-up happening so its looking like it could be another good year for the Lake, hopefully not too much at the expense of the surrounding towns though! Heard the Birdsville Pub was under a bit of water yesterday :{

[Allan L]

And I thought the pub was one of the high points (and highlights) of the town:uhoh:

[Worrals in the wilds]

It is! No doubt everyone sat on the bar or the roof and kept on drinking :cool:.

Any word on how the airport held up? The news said the school was being pumped out, and its not very far along from the pub/airport.

I remember a relative who worked out there saying that the reason Birdsville has never expanded much (still only one motel, even with the influx of tourists) is that most of the available land floods at the drop of a hat, so despite the apparent wide open spaces there's not actually a lot of room to build.

[Desert Flower]

I am going to stick my neck out here & say that the lake will definitely get water in it again this year, & that it will be better than last year!
Meanwhile, spare a thought for C185Skywagon up there in Charleville. Stay safe buddy!

DF.

[185skywagon]

Birdsville is rationing avgas. It may not get a load for another month.
phone pub for details.

[Pilotette]

Desert Flower...I suspect you may be right about that! The photos I have seen of the area from last week are quite spectacular...there is a lot of water around!

Does anyone have any updates about Mungerannie? Has the strip been opened to the public since last year?

[PLovett]

It is looking like Cooper Creek will flow this year unlike last.

However, I haven't heard any info on whether the Diamantina or Georgina will flow. If they will then it will be bigger than last year.

That should keep Trev happy, especially if they get the resealing work done in time for the happy campers. :}

[Torres]

Birdsville photos on Sky show the water a few inches lower than the pub floor. From memory that may mean the airport is flooded. Don't even think of coming out this way - roads are closed everywhere and accommodation is impossible, pubs are either flooded or full of local evacuees.

Sections of the Warrego Highway are now even devoid of the small pieces of bitumen that previously held the pot holes together.

[Dark Knight]

See the Todd in The Alice has had a good clean out however, is the Finke River running at all?

If memory serves me correctly it runs into the North West corner of the lake?

Great to a see a really good Wet right through out the North of the continent.

DK

[load it, launch it]

I believe that the airstrip went under at some stage and the fuel supplies have been contaminated. So there may be more than rationing happening....

[Pilotette]

Hey Pete! Yeah Trev will be one happy camper...Heard he's putting in a pool too:ok:

[Desert Flower]

I believe that the airstrip went under at some stage and the fuel supplies have been contaminated.

Hey PA - confirm or deny?!

DF.

[Paul Alfred]

Hey DF...OK, I'll lay some points to rest....there will be limited fuel available at Birdsville...it will take at least 4 weeks as stated to get road access...no way in or out at the moment...NO, the fuel is not contaminated....amazing scenes, more water around there from the local 9 inches than ever seen before.

Bedourie also had 8 inches and with another flood push 10kms north, plenty for the Georgina System and Eyre Creek will once again look spectacular flowing eventually down to Goyders and into the Warburton.

The Cooper is winding its way and currently at the back of Mungerannie Station...Innaminka is definately worth a visit at the moment, the Cooper water was 8.5 metres over the causeway last week....not sure how long to get to the lake because this system hasn't run like this since 91....when it crosses the Track, it could be closed in sections from 12-24 months according to previous floods....Apparently The Hwys Dept have an old barge/ferry they use to get ppl across...I was told the cattle dont enjoy it that much :}

Mungerannie Airstrip is still only available to the RFDS and Mail Plane and will continue this way. Cowrie maybe an option as it was last year.

A plane from Wilpena flew out to the lake last week and said it was about 5% from the recent local rains.

Apologies if I have some facts wrong but thats about all I know at the moment. The lake needs the Cooper to get to 100%, and if the Finke comes down then its a shoe in.

I'll keep the thred posted with the water progress as best I can even though my route dosent go that far west to even see the lake :sad: Oh well, at least I get to hear all the radio calls again this year :{ :ok:

Cheers guys, safe flying.

PA

[PLovett]

Thanks for the update PA. I was told last year that the Cooper had to be 27' over the causeway at Innaminka to flow through to the lake which is ..... pretty close to .... 8.5 metres so it looks as though the Cooper will reach the lake this year. :ok:

That combined with the Diamantina and possibly the Finke could cause the biggest fill since the 90s' or even the 70s'. :)

Pilotette, I heard that there are two pools now. :} One is the old railway inspection pit which has been tiled and a boardwalk built around it and the other is up at the top house. I hope he put a ladder on the old inspection pit as it was about 3 metres deep. :uhoh:

[Pilotette]

Thanks for filling us in PA, sounds very promising! Do you know if the Cowrie strip has been improved since last year? Had a bit of fun trying to resist becoming airborne multiple times on the takeoff run there toward the end of last year! :}

PLovett, yeah I heard the inspection pit has had a makeover too..not too sure how enticing that would be! Beats running through the sprinkler & the plastic tarp we improvised as a slip n dip though! :}

[Paul Alfred]

Cowrie had done a lot of work to it towards the end of last year to smoothen out the 'bumps' but since the dust storms and now the rain, its back in its 'normal' state but credit to the Oldfields, they are trying to get it right only mother nature likes it how it is ;)

That wasn't you in the Caravan changing a tyre last year was it?

The causeway at Innaminka is back down to 5m but they said the recent East rainfalls will push it back up to 10m over the next few weeks.

Cheers,

PA

[Pilotette]

Nah not me in the Van, I'm sure that would have been fun though! ;)
Well I hope the Oldfields win their fight against the elements..I won't hold my breath, they have a mind of their own out there!

[Paul Alfred]

Just heard that the Nappa Merrie bridge is well under....unlikely to be opened for another month. The water is 11m at the Innaminka Causeway...in 1990 it apparently got to 11.4m.

The Cooper is Draining down the Strez Creek at a rapid rate, obviously going to Isolate Moomba and the track transport as it crosses the Strez Track within the coming week.

PA

[Ultralights]

this thread is so useless without pics! :ok::}

[185skywagon]

Just flown down the eastern side from Durham on the Cooper. Ain't seen that much water before in the area south of Ballera.
I left YBCV this morning for YLRE then YTIB, and it is green the whole way.
Fantastic here at YTIB. Also lots of Locusts.
Get out and have a look. Fuel will be a problem out here for a while.

On APLC work at YTIB for the next couple of weeks.

cheers,
185.

[Jabawocky]

185

Do you think I should leave the day before and go via the inland to Tassie?

What is the next Pizza joint we do over?

J:ok:

[Pilotette]

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr172/shety002/Bedourie20township20March2010.jpg
Hey Ultralights here you go...Not my photos but these are of Bedourie Township and Bedourie Airstrip taken about a week ago.
http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr172/shety002/Bedourieairstrip20March2010-1.jpg

[Pilotette]

Some more...
Birdsville
http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr172/shety002/Birdsvillefloodmarch2010f.jpg
Moomba Gas Fields
http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr172/shety002/moomba20flood20feb202010b.jpg
http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr172/shety002/moomba20flood20feb202010c.jpg

[UnderneathTheRadar]

Makes you wonder if life jackets are required for over-water flights?!?!?

[185skywagon]

Jaba,
absolutely no question. you will not believe what you see, especially since I know you have seen this country in a different light last year.
Just do it. You may get fuel at YTIB. None at YTGM at this stage.
If you get to YTIB in the next week, I'll still be here.
cheers,
185

[Pilotette]

Hey Jaba, the "ladies of the lake" :p will be at it again this year so you should definitely bring the RV & Mrs Jaba for another visit! :}

[BEACH KING]

Talking to a mate yesterday, and the flood water is underneath the Innamincka station house!! Yery hard to visualize that much water..so I might wander out to have a look myself in the next day or so..

[tinpis]

I was around for the '74-5 Lake Eyre fill.
I have never seen Moomba looking so wet. Being a God awful snakish place I would have bicycle clips on me trousers!

[Kenneth]

Just flew over the lake, (first time ive been up this way for a long time) appears to be a run of water down the middle which looks to be speading out. I'll upload the photos when i get to civilisation.

[VH-XXX]

and to think that you guys all thought the guy that built this at Marree was a bit of a Noah!



http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab160/bc_j400/Eyre.jpg

[Kenneth]

Taken on the 17th March
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/cbd/lake%20eyre/PhonePhotos169.jpg


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/cbd/lake%20eyre/PhonePhotos178.jpg

[Desert Flower]

Hmmm - do I get a prize if I correctly guess the rego of the 402 in those pictures Kenneth?

DF.

[Kenneth]

She is probably as well known as her former owner!

[The Green Goblin]

Looks like this cyclone coming through might dump some more water into the system.

Hope it doesn't rub some salt into sore wounds inland.......

[Chadzat]

Nice shots Kenny,

Here is hoping some of this moisture makes it to the lower Murray, if the cyclone can add to the floods then as unfortunate as it may be for some in the areas already affected, it can only be good for the long term water storage's of the Darling Basin.

[morno]

Agreed Chadzat. As unfortunate as it may be, that it may take more flooding in Southern QLD, I will be stoked the day the Murray-Darling finally fills up!

I think it's been a long time since we've seen the level of flooding and greenery over Southern and Western QLD that we have now.

morno

[Dick Smith]

But will the Cooper water get to the Birdsville track?

Maybe! They will have to get the ferry going again.

I'm going to the area at Easter in the C208 - I'll post some picks then.

[PLovett]

But will the Cooper water get to the Birdsville track?

Yeah....given the quantity of water being reported at Innaminka I'd say that the Cooper will flow into the lake this year.

Kenneth, that looks like the Warburton groove is down to Hughes and Dulhunty Island?

[Capt Claret]

The following link is from the Lyndhurst Hotel/Motel's web site, some awesome pics.

OUTBACK FLOODING (http://www.lyndhursthotel.com.au/Flood.htm)

[onezeroonethree]

Are places like Marree / Williams Creek / Lyndhurst accessibly by car right now / next week? Or are the roads under water?

[Paul Alfred]

They have had good rainfall in those areas this year but all the flood water is further north...check the road reports, but it should be fine.

[Capt Claret]

but it should be fine.

This is why folk get into strife; it's not fine. Some roads are open, many are closed. The fines for driving on a closed road vary but SA fines are rumoured to be $1000/wheel, this includes the spares and steering wheel.

Having driven the Birdsville track in June 2008 the afternoon it opened after only 83 mm of rain, it took us 4 hours to cover 140 km. A year later, when dry, half that time.

The RACQ road condition web site is a good source. (http://www.racq.com.au/benefits_and_discounts/road_conditions)

With more rain forecast/possible in western QLD with cyclone Ului, I'd be surprised if the Birdville & Strzelecki tracks don't go out again.


As at 10 03 20 1120z, the SA outback road situation is:

http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/quicklinks/northern_roads/legend.gif
http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/data/northern_roads/images/area1.jpg

http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/data/northern_roads/images/area2.jpg

[PLovett]

1013,

One of the problems with the roads around Lake Eyre is that the soil (what there is of it) has a very high clay content so it doesn't take much rain to become very sticky indeed. It is also why a lot of the roads are closed after what can be only lightish rainfalls.

Similarly, it is why a lot of the airstrips including Prominent Hill get closed after only the briefest rain shower. The strips are usually still ok but the Fokker 50s on Prominent Hill can transport the clay back to Adelaide and deposit it on the runway there much to the disgust of other users. Dirty Fokkers. :}

[Paul Alfred]

Capt Claret....did you read what I said before 'it should be fine'...geez :ugh:..and he only mentioned those three places which according to your maps all have green roads...have a good one :ok:

PA

[Pinky the pilot]

I'm very familiar with the areas shown on those two diagrams Clarry, having another lifetime ago spent around six years there working on a Seismic Survey crew, quite often in areas where tourists never go as there were no roads. We made our own.

In some areas the ground could so easily turn from a relatively hard surface to a sticky quagmire that the standing joke was that if you wanted to get your vehicle (all current model at the time diesel Landcruiser utes) bogged, all you had to do was take a p**s in front of the wheels.

Once got bogged three times in one day, travelling to and from the lines we were working and each time had to dig myself out!:uhoh:
Got back to camp that night covered in mud and thoroughly exhausted.

[Capt Claret]

Sorry to raise your blood pressure there Paul. It seems that the interpretation I placed on your words was not the one that you intended.

One of the cons of web fora I guess. :\

[Paul Alfred]

All good Capt...blood pressure is back to normal ;)

Cheers,

PA

[HotPete]

Anybody have an update on the Warburton, Lake Eyre, Cooper, Darling?
I'm thinking of flying some mates out there in a month's time.

[Pilotette]

Have a look here, there are status updates and Sat pics of the Lake and surrounding areas. :ok:

Lake Eyre YC - Current Lake Status (http://www.lakeeyreyc.com/Status/latest.html)

[j3pipercub]

So are the tourist operators doing a good trade like last year? How many Caravans ended up down there? Any ideas VH-XXX?

[wishiwasupthere]

And further to j3pipercub's question, what is Wrightsair like as a place to work, and do they take on low hour guys?

Cheers!

[VH-XXX]

Sorry J3, I'm not up with the goss up there this year. The Van you speak of is up north west.

A few pruners are usually there in the caravan park so someone should be able to update us with the fleet report hopefully.

[PLovett]

what is Wrightsair like as a place to work, and do they take on low hour guys?

Fantastic and yes but grudgingly.

However, opportunities are rare and employment is more on personal recommendation and to get to William Creek you will have to go via Tasmania as the person who does the pre-employment check flight is in Hobart.

[Rule3]

Nice pictures in todays Herald Sun.

Herald Sun | Victoria and National News, Entertainment, Sport and Weather | HeraldSun (http://www.heraldsun.com.au)

[Chimbu chuckles]

What about the Murray Darling - is the water that fell in south/central QLD going to flush out and replenish that system?

[Capt Claret]

G'day Chimbu, y'ole tart. Love the new monika.

I heard the other day, I think on the ABC, that the Paroo River is expected to flow into the Darling, for only the third time in white-man's occupation of Australia.

[Worrals in the wilds]

Awesome pics. I saw Sturt's Stony Desert in flower a few years ago, and having previously seen it in the usual 'Mars Expedition' configuration it was magic to see it green. Quite made up for the washouts.

Time for poetry! Apologies, but I've had a drink and this one always reminds me of the channel country. :)

Where the Pelican Builds Her Nest
The horses were ready, the rails were down,
But the riders lingered still
One had a parting word to say,
And one had his pipe to fill.

Then they mounted, one with a granted prayer,
And one with a grief unguessed.
"We are going," they said, as they rode away
"Where the Pelican builds her nest!"

They had told us of pastures wide and green,
To be sought past the sunset's glow;
Of rifts in the ranges by opal lit;
And gold 'neath the river's flow.

And thirst and hunger were banished words
When they spoke of that unknown West;
No drought they dreaded, no flood they feared,
Where the pelican builds her nest!

The creek at the ford was but fetlock deep
When we watched them crossing there;
The rains have replenished it thrice since then,
And thrice has the rock lain bare.

But the waters of Hope have flowed and fled,
And never from blue hill's breast
Come back - by the sun and the sands devoured
Where the pelican builds her nest.

Mary Hannay-Foott, 1885