A Rare Occurrence – 2010

Todd River — 2010River run ‘Category C’ Foam Road closures A dogs day Anzac Hill The river flow

Water in Central Australia | Todd River | 2007 | 2010 | 2021 | 2022

After the ‘big dry’ for 2009, the weather bureau issued flood warnings for the Alice Spring District. The Stuart Highway was closed just 50 km north of Alice Springs, rain water had washed away part of the rail track just 230 km north of Alice Springs, affecting travellers booked on the Ghan.

It was a welcomed spectacle by many in Alice Springs and Central Australia to see the rain. With the start of persistent rain from Wednesday 6th January, the rain continued through to Friday, 8th January, 2010. In a space of 30 hours, more than 62 mm was recorded.

Following images of water flowing in the Todd River – 7 January, 2010

Pet dogs enjoying the start of water flowing into the Todd River, Alice Springs, 7 Jan 2010
Pet dogs enjoying the start of water flowing into the Todd River, Alice Springs, 7 Jan 2010
Pet dogs enjoying the start of water flowing into the Todd River, Alice Springs, 7 Jan 2010
Pet dogs enjoying the start of water flowing into the Todd River, Alice Springs, 7 Jan 2010
Pet dogs enjoying the start of water flowing into the Todd River, Alice Springs, 7 Jan 2010
Pet dogs enjoying the start of water flowing into the Todd River, Alice Springs, 7 Jan 2010
Pet dog enjoying the start of water flowing into the Todd River, Alice Springs, 7 Jan 2010
Pet dog enjoying the start of water flowing into the Todd River, Alice Springs, 7 Jan 2010

Just after 5 pm on Thursday, the rain water was making its way down the Todd River at the Schwarz crescent causeway (northern end of town), reaching the southern end a couple of hours later, although it was on the Wednesday that rain water had reached the southern part of the Todd River just before Heavitree Gap, being fed by storm drains from the west.

By mid afternoon Friday 8th January, 2010, over 62 mm of rain had fallen, with Undoolya recording just over 46 mm.


Another great natural event that occurred at this time due to the amount of rainfall was the explosion in number of frogs seen at a unique gorge, Simpsons Gap. Under certain conditions, a once in a life time natural event occurs, with the appearance of thousands of frogs ranging from the green Centralian Tree Frog, Desert Tree Frog, Main’s Frog and the Spencer’s Burrowing Frog.


Todd River — 2010River run ‘Category C’ Foam Road closures A dogs day Anzac Hill The river flow

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