1893 flood

Proposed flood diversion canal cross section, 1896. After the ‘Great Flood’ of February 1893, the Water Supply Department and its director, J.B. Henderson, investigated the possibility of building flood diversion canals to protect the city. This cross section map shows one canal leaving from Oxley and the other leaving from Yeronga, both with a common outlet at Tingalpa Creek at the ocean. This map shows that the maximum depth of cutting for the upper canal would be approximately 252 feet and, for a length of around 8.5 miles, the average depth would be about 120 feet. For the lower canal, the maximum cutting depth would be about 170 feet while for a length of around six miles the average depth would be 100 feet. According to Henderson’s report, both canals would have ‘colossal dimensions’ and rival some of the largest canals in the world. As shown by another map depicting the proposal, either canal would require purchasing land between the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay. The canals would also require the construction of several new rail and road bridges, revetting to protect embankments, and finally an inlet weir. According to Henderson’s calculations, the excavation alone would cost £9,523,194 for the upper canal, and about £7,138,000 for the lower canal. In addition to affecting navigability and tidal behaviour of the Brisbane River, the canals would need frequent dredging. Henderson advised parliament to abandon consideration of this and other similar schemes. Queensland votes and proceedings, vol.4, 1896

Channel widening and river training scheme, 1896. Under the direction J.B Henderson, this channel widening and river training scheme was proposed by the Water Supply Department in 1896. To prevent a repeat of the disastrous 1893 floods, areas shaded orange would be removed to widen the channel. A series of flood walls would also be built to protect the inner city and South Brisbane. Where the walls would abut existing permanent structures, watertight joints would be formed keeping flood waters in the channel. These walls would have gates at key locations only closed in the event of a flood higher than in 1890. In the city, flood gates were proposed on the corner of Creek and Charlotte streets and on the corner of Alice and Edward Streets. In South Brisbane, flood gates were proposed at the end of Russell, Glenelg, Ernest and Tribune streets. This map includes the 1893 flood line and shows only part of the Victoria Bridge which was destroyed during the flood. Queensland votes and proceedings, vol.4, 1896

Brisbane flood, left bank, 1893. Produced by the Survey Office, this map shows the extent of the ‘Great Flood’ of February 1893 on the left bank of the Brisbane River through St Lucia, Toowong, Taringa and Auchenflower. Drawn over an existing sheet map of Brisbane, only one side of the river is shown. Field staff surveyed the city one section at a time from which a single map could be compiled. This map is signed by the staff surveyor ‘Mr Bedford’ and dated 25 March 1893. Collection of the Museum of Lands, Mapping and Surveying