Active floodgate management

For the past 20 years, Rous has worked cooperatively with landowners, the sugar cane industry and NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries to actively manage floodgates across the Richmond floodplain.

Active management refers to the opening of floodgates during non-flood periods to allow tidal water to exchange between the river or creek and the drainage system. This improves drain water quality and enhances aquatic habitat and allows fish passage.

We have an Active Floodgate Management Plan for each of our floodgates that are actively managed.

[FAQ]

Status of Rous-implemented Active Floodgate Management plans

Active Floodgate Management plans can be implemented by volunteer landowners or Rous operators. Who implements each plan is decided on a site-by-site basis in consultation with the relevant landowners.

We currently manage eleven plans. The remaining plans are implemented voluntarily by landowners.

As at 4pm, 29 January 2024, the status of the floodgates we manage for tidal exchange is provided below.

System	Modification	Status	Reason
Bagotville Barrage, Tuckean.	Sluice window in three floodgates.	One sluice open 100mm.	As per active floodgate management plan.
Boggy Creek, Bungawalbyn.	Sluice window in one floodgate.	Sluice closed.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions and risk of flooding.
Campbell's drain, Swan Bay.	Sluice window in one floodgate.Sluice window in one floodgate.	Sluice fully open.Sluice fully open.Sluice closed.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions and risk of flooding.
Keith Hall drainage system, South Ballina.	Sluice window in one floodgate. Automatic tidal float mechanism on one floodgate.	Sluice closed.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions and risk of flooding.
Montis Creek, Broadwater.	Automatic tidal float mechanism on one floodgate.	Closes automatically.	As per active floodgate management plan.
Reardon's drain, Swan Bay.	Sluice window in one floodgate.	Sluice closed.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions and risk of flooding.
Rocky Mouth Creek.	Winch on six floodgates.	All floodgates, including fish emergency escape, winched down into their operational position.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions and risk of flooding.
Sandy Creek No. 1, Sandy Creek.	Sluice window in the floodgate.	Sluice closed.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions and risk of flooding.
Seelims Canal.	Sluice window in one floodgate.	Sluice closed.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions and risk of flooding.
Thearles drain, Swan Bay.	Sluice window in one floodgate.	Sluice closed.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions and risk of flooding.
West Coraki Canal.	Sluice window in one floodgate.	Sluice closed.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions and risk of flooding.