The town of Canowindra is located on the Belubula River, a major tributary of the Lachlan River. The Belubula River rises in high country to the east of Blaney at elevations of 900 to 1100 m and flows in a generally south westerly direction to Carcoar Dam, where the catchment area is 220 square kilometres. Below Carcoar the Belubula River flows westwards and is joined by several tributaries which have their headwaters in the southern slopes of Mount Canobolas. In its upper and middle reaches the river flows through undulating and hilly country, interspersed with only limited areas of alluvial floodplain.

The overall objectives of the investigation were to assess the impacts of flooding, review policies and options for management of flood affected land and to develop a Floodplain Risk Management Plan which:

1. Proposes modifications to existing Council policies to ensure that the development of flood affected land is undertaken so as to be compatible with the flood hazard and risk.
2. Proposes Flood Planning Levels for various Land Uses in the Floodplain.
3. Sets out the recommended program of works and measures aimed at reducing over time, the social, environmental and economic impacts of flooding.
4. Provides a program for implementation of the proposed works and measures.