Historical information

This photograph shows the floodwaters during the 1971 flood at Orbost. The two mahogany trees in the photograph stopped the Snowy River from changing its course.
The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms.
More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au)

Significance

This is a pictorial record of a significant event in the history of floods in Orbost.

Physical description

A black / white photograph of raging floodwaters at the bottom of the Orbost township.