Yarranlea Solar Farm Flood Impact Assessment

Development of a solar farm was proposed at Yarranlea on the Darling Downs in Queensland. Due to concerns of the potential impact of the development on the behaviour of two identified overland flow paths in the region, a flood impacts assessment (FIA) was required.

Having many years’ local experience with flood related issues in the Toowoomba region, WMS worked in close collaboration with I3 Consulting’s civil design team to deliver a FIA of the proposed development. A suite of design storms were considered and several design iterations were modelled to minimise the potential for impacts off-site. The final design modelling results showed an overall decrease in flood levels and flood extent off-site with minimal change in flood velocity and flood behaviour.

When it comes to that water field, it’s very specialised. And if you mess it up it creates a lot of problems for everyone involved. So having a specialist who we can trust to get it right and not have to think about it is really great.

Travis Smith, Principal Civil Designer, I3 Consulting

Close collaboration between WMS and I3 Consulting in the detailed design phase resulted in the FIA getting approved by Council with no objections.