Drone Video Shows Flood Water Gushing Down Spillway as Dam Opens in Townsville

Floodwater gushed down the spillway on the Ross River Dam in Townsville, Queensland, after the dam was opened on January 30, to “prevent major flooding issues downstream”, Townsville Council said in a statement.

The decision to open the gates came after the region was hit by severe floods brought on by monsoon weather.

“The spillway gates on Ross River Dam will be opened today, as the level approaches 100 per cent,” the statement from council read.

Dam levels reached around 140 per cent on January 31, data published by council showed.

In this drone video, filmed by Brooks Steff, water from the dam can be seen gushing through the floodgates.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a a major flood warning for the Ross River on February 1.

A number of homes were destroyed in the floods with severe wet weather expected to continue in the area until at least Thursday, February 7, according to the BoM. Credit: Brooks Steff via Storyful