What lessons can we learn from the 1956 Murray-Darling River floods?

River flows are complex but despite our best attempts to harness control over them, history demonstrates that floods are inevitable. Looking back at previous flood events along the rivers could provide important insight into lessons learnt from previous disasters, such as the three-month-long 1956 floods that devastated whole communities living along the tributaries. Diaries provide insight into past floods Retired citrus grower Alan Whyte has drawn many comparisons with previous floods that have affected the Murray and Darling River communities. "If floodwater can't spread out like it used to on the flood plains that are now developed, towns along the river around Mildura and Wentworth are going to see much higher flood levels," he says. "With all the water moving down the Murray, then you add water coming in from the Darling, it's going to create a lot of pressure on Wentworth," Ms Dalton says.