1956 Murray River flood
The 1956 Murray River flood involved the rising of waters in the
The flood occurred due to higher than average rainfalls in
From upstream to downstream, flooding occurred in the towns of
As a result of the flood, the Menindee Lakes were constructed to store high flows from the Darling River.[2]
Impact
Mildura, Victoria
In 2006, historic flood markers were erected at Apex Park and the lawns of the Mildura Rowing Club at Mildura, indicating the height the river reached in 1956. Additional markers were to be erected at various locations along the river from Wentworth to Colignan.[7]
Wentworth, New South Wales
The town of Wentworth, located on the junction of the Darling and Murray Rivers, erected a statue in 1959 in honour of the Fergie TE20 tractor, responsible for helping to erect a levee around the town which kept floodwaters at bay for months.[8] A tractor rally is also held every five years to celebrate the Fergie.[9]
Mannum, South Australia
Hotels in the main street of Mannum operated their bars from the second floor with boats tying up to the balcony. The flood water broke the levee bank on 24 August, and had not fully receded until Christmas.[10]
Several towns in South Australia have depth markers showing how high the floodwaters rose.
In popular culture
Author Philip Pullman used his childhood memories of being taken to see the flood as a basis for his 2017 fantasy novel La Belle Sauvage.[11]
References
- ^ "The greatest River Murray flood eclipses 1956 levels" (Press release). University of South Australia. 13 September 2002. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ a b c "Past droughts and floods". State Library of South Australia. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2007.
- ^ "1956 Murray River Floods". Discover Murray Mallee. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- InDaily. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- ^ River Murray floods: FAQs, Department of Environment and Water, Government of South Australia, 2022
- ^ Shields, B. P. (March 2004). Renmark's Railway Flood Operations 1931 and 1956. Australian Railway History. pp. 88–91.
- ^ "1956 flood markers in place". ABC News. Australia. 25 October 2006.[dead link]
- ^ "Wentworth Walk". Wentworth Visitor Information Center. Number 10, "Tractor Monument". Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ "Wentworth Tractor Rally". Wentworth Visitor Information Center. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ Negus, George (7 June 2004). "1956 Murray Flood". George Negus Tonight. Australia: ABC TV. Archived from the original (transcript) on 11 August 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
- ^ Ho, Olivia (24 October 2017). "His Dark Materials universe draws Philip Pullman back for new trilogy". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
External links
- 1956 River Murray Flood at State Library of South Australia
- "1956 floods". SA Memory. State Library of South Australia. 25 March 2010.
- 1956 Flood at Culture Victoria