Todd River — 2010 Foam

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, Central Australia saw the effects of the monsoon season in the Top End when the tropical low moved south through the Arid Centre in January 2010, bringing much rain that was described as the one in ten year event. With humidity over 90% and the amount of rain that had fallen over Alice Springs, it made it one of the wettest start to the year since 1974. By Friday 26 February, 2010, Anzac Oval had over 300 mm fall, whilst the Alice Springs Airport recorded nearly 200 mm.

Following images of water and foam in the Todd River – 23 February, 2010

With the river already flowing from the 23rd February, 2010, the rain clouds moving down from the Top End saw rain sweep right across Central Australia and into South Australia. With seemingly constant rain over several days, the Todd River swelled, with many road closures, although this did not stop the many locals and visitors taking time out to visit the spectacle of the Todd River in full flow.

One of the interesting observations of the river flow is the amount of foam that is generated on the surface of the river water…

The foam that has been produced along the Todd River is a natural phenomenon. The foam being most prominent along the river edge, in eddies, and before or after obstructions (like the Wills Terrace and Undoolya Road Main Causeway).

If the water is turbid, it can look dirty. This natural foam may have an earthy smell to it, although if there was pollutant upriver, it can have a aromatic and slimy feel to it.

The foam in the Todd River is a result of the river being dry for a long period, then with the rain, the water flow washes out the organic matter (leaves, twigs, branches, and the bark off trees such as from the river red gum). With the breakdown of the organic matter, natural compounds and oily chemicals are produced (described as surfactants). These oils are buoyant, reduce surface tension and create small bubbles. Wind action and the movement of the river, cascading and rushing around and through obstructions help with generating the bubbles, that normally would last only seconds, but with the surfactants, allow the bubbles (foam) to persist for longer.

---

---

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

Todd River – A Rare OccurrenceTodd River – 2007 Todd River — 2010 Todd River – 2021 Todd River – 2022