There's hope ahead!

Seqwater started closing the gates on Wivenhoe dam today - should be fully closed on Sunday.
The release of 130,000 megalitres per day pushed the Brisbane River height up at Colleges Crossing to almost 10 metres - higher than the October flood. The end of the flooding on the weekend gives us hope that the level will drop enough to allow access to the park on Tuesday, and we can open the cafe.
The big question is - how has the Colleges Crossing bridge fared? It has been under a fearsome flow of water for the best part of two weeks.
The park has also spent the best part of the part three months under metres of water.
There'll been some cleaning up to do.
Hopefully with no record downpours predicted - we might get back to normal -preparing meals and serving coffee. It would make a nice change!
We look forward to seeing everyone soon. Have a Happy New Year!

Perfect Day

It's a perfect day on the river. As the Lily Allen song goes ... the sun is in the sky why oh why would I want to be anywhere else - but the Brisbane River is still flooding the Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve - which is still closed. The river level at the park is 9.26m - high than our last flood in October. Mt Crosby Road is still closed with the Colleges Crossing bridge still under water. The Mt Crosby weir is at 11.5m. We have the long weekend on the way - but with the park gates closed - access to the park is limited and difficult, so the cafe will remain closed.

Still flooding

Tonight the Brisbane River at Colleges Crossing has hit 9.46m - that's a 3m rise since Tuesday.
The torrent racing through the Mt Crosby weir is fierce. The river level at the weir is 11.5m. Not much wriggle room left.
Seqwater says the releases will continue from Wivenhoe dam until the weekend. The releases combined with Lockyer Creek flows will mean further flooding for the remainder of the week.
Hope is evaporating that the cafe will be open this weekend. It has now been affecting by flooding for two weeks. Not much fun.
Check river levels by clicking on the headline.

It's a beautiful morning...

A beautiful summer day - and the Brisbane River is still climbing at the Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve. The river is getting close to 9m. Check the river height tracking program by clicking on the headline.
At the Mt Crosby weir the river has risen over 11m. Its going to be a interesting couple of days. Mt Crosby road is of course closed, and the Colleges Crossing bridge is still drowning under the raging river. When this flood is over - there will need to be plenty of cleaning up in the park.
There are still plenty of spectators lining the road down to the park, but the park is closed to vehicles.
The population of the park has increased by one - with the only residents Grant and Megan proud parents of another baby girl. Congratulations.

Here we go again

The Brisbane river at Colleges is on the rise - getting to the levels reached in October.
Here is a picture taken this afternoon of a bbq shelter that was near the normal river edge..

The river height at Colleges Crossing is closing on 8m - and is racing through the park and over the crossing bridge on Mt Crosby Road.
10 metres of flood water is racing through the Mt Crosby weir in a spectacular flow.
The road - park - and cafe at Colleges Crosssing are still closed.

Record Wet

Brisbane has recorded its wettest December in 150 years. While there has been a break in the weather this morning - there's still a chance of a shower or two today.
Seqwater has advised that releases have started from Wivenhoe dam - and combined with Lockyer Creek flows there is expected to be continued flooding downstream into the weekend.
The river height at Mt Crosby is getting close to 10m and rising. The level at Colleges Crossing is on its way to 8 metres. CLICK ON TITLE TO SEE THE MONITORING STATION CHART.
That means that the bridge over Colleges Crossing will continue to be submerged and the park closed.
Tomorrow - Thursday is forecast to be fine, with a few showers expected over the weekend.
Just when the cafe will be open depends on how long the flooding will continue to keep the park locked down, and when the roads will be open.
Hopefully now that the public holidays are over there will be some work done on the unsealed section of the detour over the Mt Crosby weir.

Colleges Crossing Pix

It appears that the authorities didn't open all the gates of the Wivenhoe dam as reported. The level of the river fell today - but the Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve is still underwater - and, the bridge over the river is still closed.
The alternative route over the Mt Crosby Weir is still a shocker. Potholes mark the unsealed stretch.

Another Day - Another Deluge:

It would be nice to be talking about food and coffee under the sun - instead...
The Brisbane River is 6.41 metres and rising at Colleges Crossing. Mt Crosby Road and the bridge across the river are still closed.
For those detouring around the Mt Crosby weir - the river height has exceeded 9m - and the river is boiling and bubbling. The road needs grading to iron out the hundreds of potholes.
In Ipswich the Bremer hit 9m and the clean up is underway.
To see the river height tracking at Colleges Crossing - just click on the heading of this post.

Floodgates open - again!

As Colleges Crossing park suffers until metres of water - and the Brisbane River flowing about 2 metres over the (inadequate)bridge,there's more water on the way.
All five gates at Wivenhoe dam are to be opened overnight, adding a massive amount of water to the flooding on this part of the river.
The water release is expected to continue until Thursday.
The flooding has closed the cafe for a week - and it's unlikely to open before the weekend - if we are lucky.
An added problem is the disastrous state of the alternate route to Mt Crosby Road. All traffic is being diverted over the Mt Crosby Weir (single-lane) and across a section of unsealed road - which wasn't designed for the traffic capacity and which is pockmarked with potholes.
Kholo Crossing is suffering as well with broken bitumen and flooding.
The Bremer River in Ipswich is also hitting flood heights.
Such is life.

Christmas Monday

Cafe is still closed - hughie just keeps sending it down. Mt Crosby road is still closed over Colleges Crossing, and the barricades are still up.
The river level at the Mt Crosby weir is 8.7 metres, and the Brisbane River at Colleges is 5.51 metres. Low tide is at 11.25am.
The Bremer River at Ipswich is 8m.
The records just keep being broken.
Everyone will start suffering from cabin fever shortly.

Merry Christmas

Merry xmas to all our staff - customers - visitors - friends & family.
Looking forward to seeing you all some time soon.

Flood at Colleges Crossing receding - for now

Wivenhoe dam has reduced its discharge of water through one gate, which is expected to remain open until at least this afternoon. The road closures are expected to continue until tomorrow.
The weather today suggests that we can expect a few showers increasing to rain tonight.
Low tide will be at 9am - high at 3.22pm
Tides are expected to exceed the high water mark over the next couple of days.
The bridge at Colleges Crossing is still underwater - and Mt Crosby Road is showing signs of wear.
There's plenty of debris in the park and will take some time to clean it up.
The cafe - Colleges by the River - is still closed.

Send it down Hughie!

The recent rain and flooding at Colleges Crossing has led me thinking about the old aussie expression - 'send it down hughie/hewie'. An expression you hear in the bush, and around surfers - if my memory serves me from those lost years of the 60's. What do they say 'if you can remember the time - you weren't there'. There's been a lot of speculation about its origins - some suggesting it even came from Billy Hughes - a former PM who was once an agricultural minister. But it may have also come from from a family in the Riverina - the Huie's. See the story by clicking the headline on this post. It is a very plausible explanation since there was a 1912 report from Narrandera that suggests that it was inspired by amateur meteorologist Mr Huie.
Whatever - I will continue to use the expression - love it.

That's not a flood - this is a flood!

The city papers are in a lather over the MONSTER TIDE that is inundating a few feet of the inner city parks and roads.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/weather/monster-tide-recedes-20101222-1952d.html
That's only puddles compared to what is happening at Colleges Crossing. The word is that the gates are being closed at the Wivenhoe dam. But, the levels at the Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve have been at the levels we saw in October.
For those who know the cafe - the water was only metres from the wall of the cafe deck. Levels are falling a bit this morning, but high tide is at 2pm this afternoon.
Even if the levels fall it will take some time to get the park back into shape. It took a week or more for clean-up crews to do their work after the October flood.
Back to Brisbane city - the reports are that rainfall inflows and the Wivenhoe release had little impact on their flooding. Its claimed that the ocean has heated and expanded, and pushed the tide even higher.
The Brisbane River at Colleges Crossing is also tidal - so there may be some effect around the park.
The road - Mt Crosby Road - is still closed and barricades are still in place.
There is always some pain for living in paradise.

Hitting new heights

The current Wivenhoe dam release is hitting new heights - with the river at the Mt Crosby weir at 11.1m - getting close to the road level.
At Colleges Crossing the Brisbane River is at 8.81m.

Enforced Holiday

The cafe is closed today - with the flooding at Colleges Crossing increasing. The Brisbane River level at the crossing is 6.11m and rising. At the Mt Crosby weir the height is over 9 metres. The induced flooding from Wivenhoe dam is expected to continue to the end of the week, and may continue longer if there is a major rain event. It goes without saying that the bridge at Colleges Crossing is way underwater. Even if the dam gates are closed at the end of the week - it will take some time for the water levels to fall. In October during a similar event - the cafe was closed for 6 days. Thank God that we have a dam to stop flooding in the river! Rain and showers are forecast until next Tuesday. Electronic signs are popping up all over the western suburbs warning that Colleges Crossing is closed. The Moggill ferry is also shutdown.

Colleges Crossing Closed

The Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve as closed this afternoon as the Wivenhoe dam release flooded the bottom carpark and covered the grassed areas below the caretaker's house.
The level of the Brisbane River has been climbing rapidly all day - swallowing everything in its wake.
Wivenhoe dam will continue to release huge amounts of water until at least Thursday. That's assuming that there is no major rain event in the catchment area.
This will effectively close down the cafe operations until the weekend.
Somerset dam has also opened two of its sluice gates and is releasing 410m3/s into Wivenhoe. So far 67,500 megalitres has been discharged into Wivenhoe. Wivenhoe has relased 103,000 megalitres.
We will be monitoring the river conditions over the next couple of days and will keep everyone posted about when the cafe is likely to reopen again.
Merry Xmas.

River levels on rise

The flood peak from the Wivenhoe dam release is expected to hit Colleges Crossing sometime today. It won't be of the magnitude of the October flooding through the park - but, not far behind those levels.
The big question is - how long will the flooding continue for? Will the river height be back to normal over Christmas? There's are the unknowns at this stage.
Nevertheless - the cafe will be open today as normal. And, we can keep you posted on the river levels.
The bridge at Colleges Crossing is under - and that won't be changing for the foreseeable future. So for a lot of the people in our area - travel will be via the detour over the Mt Crosby weir.
The road barricades are likely to be shifted to the top of the hill beside the park - to Allawah Road. But access to the park at the moment is open.
The flooding could affect the opening hours over the next week - but we will keep you posted.

Get ya wellies on!

The cafe got advice this afternoon that the Wivenhoe dam is to ramp up its water release overnight. By the morn, we should see about 1300m3/s - yep, per second, coming over the spillway. That not far under the flood they sent down the Brisbane River in October. The Colleges Crossing Recreational Reserve is going to cop another rushing torrent for the foreseeable future.
Going to be an interesting - and wet - christmas.

Water, water, everywhere...

Report in today's Courier Mail that the water being released each day from Wivenhoe would sustain the entire Australian population almost three times over.  8,000 megalitres (million litres) per day are flowing down the Brisbane River from the dam release.  That's enough water to sustain 55 million people!
The water is again playing havoc with traffic on Mt Crosby Road, with the bridge over Colleges Crossing closed for another day.
The river level at the park is 4.5 metres, and high tide is due at 12.30pm.
The forecast is for a fine and sunny day with a max of 30.
The cafe will be open as normal.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/dry-argument-over-now-were-flush/story-e6freon6-1225973594516

Christmas Turkey

News out of the UK that the brits are burning their way through 75 million pounds every year trying to cook their turkeys.
A Sainbury's survey suggest that festive chefs rarely get it right ruining over 3.2 million turkeys.  Over 60 percent overcook their turkey just to be on the safe side.
Celeb chefs don't help - the difference between Nigella's and Delia's recommended time for a 6.5kg turkey is over two hours.
The trick may be to buy a turkey with a 'pop-up' timer.
There's also an argument over whether you should soak the turkey in a brine solution-prior to roasting.  If you don't want to go to that trouble - here's a simple recipe from taste.com.au - but you don't need to make your own cranberry - there are plenty of prepared sauces available.
Good luck.

Road closure websites:

There are a couple of websites to inform travellers about road closures:
queensland.snarl.com.au
131940.qld.gov.au

The weather today doesn't look good.  There are increasing rain periods - with some heavy falls expected.

Mt Crosby Road Closed

The Wivenhoe dam is again releasing water, and has again impacted on the bridge over the Brisbane River at Colleges Crossing.  Mt Crosby Road is closed as the river rushes over the bridge.  The barricades are up and the detour around Allawah Road and the Mt Crosby weir is the only way around.  The cafe and park are open with the road barriers below the entrance gate.  We will have staff on to look after those who can make the trip.  The shame is that the weather is beautiful - sunny and comfortable under the tree on the deck.  Why there has to be large disruptive releases from the dam on an ad hoc basis - instead of a controlled continual releases, is the big question.  The road crossing at Colleges Crossing is obviously totally inadequate if every dam release closes the bridge.  Anyway, there's normal service at the cafe.  Enjoy!

Saturday by the River

Mt Crosby Road is clear, the Brisbane river is peacefully rolling along.  The weather is comfortable with an expected summer max of 30+.  The UV index is predicted to reach extreme, and there's a likelihood of some rain or a storm this arvo.  Yesterday's predicted storm was a fizzer - we're starting to get a bit gun-shy.  Time to relax on the deck overlooking the water.  Santa has been getting a bit of training in for next week's marathon event.  The things you see on the river while sipping an espresso.

Our house espresso is Grinders Brazil - a great Australian coffee since 1962.  You can even have it iced cold with whipped cream - a real iced (espresso) coffee.  Your barista today is Corinne.

Storm aftermath:

While our normally idyllic part of the Brisbane River got its leaves ruffled in yesterday's storm - today has started with sunshine and a falling river.  The bridge over Colleges Crossing is above the water for the first time in days - but will need a safety inspection before its open.  Yesterday's power blackouts proved too much for one of our freezers and it shorted a circuit in the cafe.  Lost the ice cream stock, and will need to do a stocktake this morning - and join the queue of insurance claimants.  The phone is also out of action.  Ipswich copped a damaging blast from the storm - sun sails at the Brassall Shopping Centre were torn apart, and a section of roof at the Health Plaza on Bell St collapsed.  Another storm is expected today - starting to get a bit punch drunk.

Bridge open tomorrow:

There are signs saying that the Colleges Crossing bridge should be open tomorrow.  Good news for the weekend.  Apparently the Wivenhoe dam gate has been closed.  So the cafe could be back to normal in the next couple of days.  The storm has knocked the power out at the cafe this afternoon - hopefully it will be rectified pretty quickly - what with the refrigeration and freezers.

Thunderstorms

The super-cell summer season is here with a vengeance.  A pack of storms is surrounding the South-east and headed towards Brisbane and the Gold Coast.  It's time to close the cafe and head to cover.  Getting away isn't easy with the quick road out under water.  It means a run home for staff around the dirt track and across the Mt Crosby weir.  Summer in the sunshine state - it keeps you on the edge.  The water being let out of the Wivenhoe dam is still creating havoc with the bridge at Colleges Crossing closed.  Barricades are up.  The dam spillways are to stay open until tomorrow.  Hopefully, the weather will change shortly - its getting lonely at Colleges by the River.

Storm season

Yesterday's wild storm and hail just 'kissed' our part of the river yesterday.  Just a heavy downpour with a tinkle of hail.  Another storm is brewing in the southwest and is on track to hit Briz suburbs this afternoon.  We are open - so far its a perfect summer day.  The Wivenhoe dam release is still swamping the Colleges Crossing bridge - making life extremely difficult for those who rely on Mt Crosby Road.  High tide was 9.30am this morning - low tide will be a 3.30pm.  While there is a detour around the Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve - the barricades have been shifted to allow access to the park and the cafe.  Not that many people are taking the drive down the hill.  There's always a price to pay for being in paradise.  The forecast is for showers and storms until Sunday - with rain clearing on Monday.  It would be nice to talk about something else besides the weather, and flooding.

Colleges Crossing Bridge Closure

The word is that millions of litres of water are going to be released from Wivenhoe dam until Friday.  The bridge crossing the Brisbane River at Colleges Crossing is still underwater.  Traffic from the western suburbs are being redirected around the Mt Crosby weir.  The barricades were up and then down on Allawah Road this morning - and there was an accident causing some confusion about access to the park.  But, the cafe is open - customers are getting through - everything is go.  Colleges by the River is the best place to get a ringside seat to watch the raging river.  There's no place like it!

Christmas Lunch

Our Christmas lunch went well today despite the Wivenhoe dam induced flooding at Colleges Crossing.  Congrats to our skeleton staff who coped - and to our customers who ran the blockades.  We will be open tomorrow (Wednesday) providing normal service.  An added attraction is the rising raging river.  The authorities have shifted the road barricades this afternoon at Allawah Road down closer to the bridge.  This will allow customers to access the park and the cafe.

A thought:  A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.

Christmas Lunch

Our customers are a tough bunch - and they've got to be.  The release of flooding waters from the Wivenhoe dam may have closed the pretty useless bridge at Colleges Crossing - but our luncheon christmas party is going ahead.  It means partygoers have to run the road barricades.  Will we be open tomorrow?  Never can tell - but it takes a lot to close the cafe down.

Colleges Crossing Closed

The Colleges Crossing bridge on Mt Crosby Road has been closed this morning.  The barricades are up - and motorists are being diverted around the Mt Crosby weir.
This follows yesterday's decision by SEQ Water to release water from the Wivenhoe Dam.
With the barricades in place at Karana Downs and at Allawah Road - it means that the cafe is again isolated.
It has thrown into confusion a christmas party booking for 46 people at lunch time today.
Again, the closures have come without warning - despite requests for information from SEQ Water and the Ipswich Council yesterday.

Lorikeets

The regular morning duck parade at the cafe - led by Daisy, has been boosted by a group of lorikeets.  We've always had a lot of birds.  Those who remember the corellas when the cafe first opened will support that.  Those were the days - scores of corellas camped in the big tree on the deck.  It was a case of looking up before you sat down.  You had to know where the birds were for obvious reasons.  The corellas left their mark on just about everyone!  Or shade sails put an end to the sudden surpises.  But there are still plenty of birds - kookaburras, owls, butcher birds, magpies, and lorikeets.  Sharing the space with them is part of the joy of having an aussie alfresco cafe.

The river is still on the run following the rain of recent weeks.  A gate has also been opened at Wivenhoe and we should see the results of that tomorrow (Tuesday).  Its not expected to cause the bridge at Colleges Crossing to go under - but we will wait and see.

Living is eeeeasy!

The sunshine state could be fined for false advertising at the moment - but the weather is calm and relaxing.  The river is like the Yarra, running brown with run off.  And, the wind is calm.  Great time for sitting on the deck at the cafe with a smooth espresso.  Breakfast is available all day for those who celebrated until the early hours - like some of the staff!  Checked out the Sunshine Coast yesterday, and got caught in the wild storm on the way home.  Traffic was at a standstill on the highway.  The long range forecast is getting bleaker with a high probability of rain drifting into January.  Time to take a break from the mundane and take it easy at colleges crossing.

Tom Tom GPS Directions

  POI (points of interest) on Tom Tom device

River Height - Colleges Crossing

This afternoon - the river height at Colleges Crossing was about 3 metres - about half a metre below the bridge.  The 'roman road' track across the lake is threatening to go under water.  The dam levels are still at "maximum".  Nevertheless, the cafe continues to provide meals and coffee to our customers through the inclement weather that has plaqued the start to summer.  The 28-day forecast show a low probability of rain over Christmas and into the first week of January.  So it looks like being a sunny Christmas/New Year.

Colleges Crossing Bridge

With the rain continuing locals always keep a keen eye on the river height at colleges crossing.  The low bridge on Mt Crosby Road is notorious for going under during sustained rain periods.  To monitor the river height its worth checking out this link:  http://tides.willyweather.com.au/qld/darling-downs/brisbane-river--colleges-crossing.html

Monday - Chai Day

The weather is still overcast - but no rain on the river - yet.  Nasanah (barista), Diane (cook) and Trent are looking after customer needs.  Bondi Chai Latte weather.  Chai Lattes are a great coffee alternative.  Made with textured milk - like a coffee latte, and served in a glass.  Our house Chai lattes are Bondi cinnamon club, and French Chai.  They are definitely moreish!

Where's all that rain going?

For the weather tragics out there - there's a new website that tracks the water storage around Australia.  And, Queensland is full up at the moment!  Tonight the weather appears to have broken - and we look forward to a bit of sunshine tomorrow - at last.  But the forecast isn't comforting.
Check out the weather bureau's new site:  http://water.bom.gov.au/waterstorage/awris/index.html

Summer on the River

The weather is overcast.  But comfortable temperature and no wind.  Great weather to relax with friends under the big tree on the cafe deck.  Staff - Nasanah, Di and Trent are looking after you today.  The 28 day forecast indicates that there is a high possibility of rain until Christmas.  Good burger weather!  Don't forget to check out Facebook.

"Drought and flooding rain..."

This is what the Colleges Crossing park looked like in October. The result of the Wivenhoe dam release.
It has been a wet spring - and a wet start to summer.

First day of summer

Today (Wednesday) is the first day of summer - and more drizzling rain at Colleges Crossing.  No matter what the weather, the cafe is open.  It takes a decent flood to close us down.  We'll all remember October for a while - with 6 metres of water rushing through the park.  It's good comfortable coffee weather at the moment - and our house coffee is Grinders Brazil Blend.  Also, for those who like something different, don't forget our Bondi Chai Latte - the smooth coffee alternative.  There's nothing better than Bondi!  We are still receiving postcards from our travelling customers.  Mary keeps the travel book updated, tracking our regulars around the world.  Don't forget we are on Facebook - the button is on the left.