The Campaspe River flows through Rochester heading north to join the mighty Murray River. Today it’s a benign stream in a river gully several metres below the tree lined banks.

But that wasn’t always the case! There are several markers erected to show the level flood waters reached at different times.

This is the small plaque to the left that records the major flood levels since 1916.

And here is the one to the right placed by the Rotary Club after the 2011 flood broke all records – and probably broke a lot of hearts too as it inundated buildings and homes.

Today there is a picturesque walk along the river and it’s hard to imagine the water would have covered my head just a few years ago.

Look across the river to the Caravan Park where I am staying. All those vans would have been completely under water.

There is a flood monitoring station on the bridge as you cross that records river levels and reports them to the Bureau of Meteorology, hopefully to better prepare and warn these river front towns of impending floods.

Let’s hope the memories of these previous floods help toward the planning of flood free developments in the future.