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, 20 December 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, risk of flooding and availability of staff.
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, risk of flooding and availability of staff.
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, risk of flooding and availability of staff.
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, risk of flooding and availability of staff.
Rocky Mouth Creek.	Winch on six floodgates.	All floodgates, including fish emergency escape, lowered into operating position.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions, risk of flooding and availability of staff.
Sandy Creek No. 1, Sandy Creek.	Sluice window in the floodgate.	Sluice closed.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions, risk of flooding and availability of staff.
Seelims Canal.	Sluice window in one floodgate.	Sluice closed.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions, risk of flooding and availability of staff.
Thearles drain, Swan Bay.	Sluice window in one floodgate.	Sluice closed.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions, risk of flooding and availability of staff.
West Coraki Canal.	Sluice window in one floodgate.	Sluice closed.	Precautionary approach due to forecast rain, catchment conditions, risk of flooding and availability of staff.