The key objective of this Flood Study is to develop a suitable hydrologic/hydraulic model that
can project flood and permanent inundation water levels in Lake Macquarie from rainfall, sea
level rise and storm surge. These results will be used by Lake Macquarie City Council, in
consultation with the community of Lake Macquarie City, to manage flood and permanent
inundation risks to low lying land around the Lake Macquarie waterway.
The key stages in the process are:
Undertaken a comprehensive review of the 1998 Lake Macquarie Flood Study (Part 1 –
Reference 1) and develop suitable hydrologic/hydraulic models to define flood behaviour
over the full range of design events for existing catchment conditions,
Use the hydrologic/hydraulic models to assess various climate change scenarios,
including application of the NSW Government’s sea level rise benchmarks,
Assess the potential increase in storm surge as a result of climate change and its impact
on elevated ocean levels,
Review the potential impact of climate change on the local wind/wave climate as this
affects the extent of wave runup on the foreshore,
Assess the hydraulic and hazard categories for existing and climate change conditions.
This report details the results and findings of the above investigations. The key elements
include:
a summary of available historical flood related data,
establishment of the hydrologic and hydraulic models,
calibration of the hydrologic and hydraulic models,
definition of the design flood behaviour for existing catchment conditions,
sensitivity analysis of the design flood behaviour,
assessment of the impacts of climate change on the still water and wave runup water
levels
re-definition of the flood extent and hydraulic and hazard categories mapping for existing
and climate change conditions.
A Flood Study is a technical document and not easily understood by the general public. A
glossary of flood related terms is provided in Appendix A to assist. If more explanation of terms
or a better understanding of the approach is required, type “NSW Government Floodplain
Development Manual” into an internet search engine and you will be directed to the NSW
Government web site which provides a copy of this manual and further explanation.
Flood levels given in this report relate only to the water level with the lake itself. Design water
levels in the creek systems entering the lake (Cockle Creek, Dora Creek etc.) will be higher than
those shown for the lake.
