This Study investigated the hydraulic capacity of ten (10) low points identified in the road network used for emergency flood evacuation in the Emu Plains area. The Emu Plains area lies on the western side of the Nepean River near Penrith and includes the suburbs of Emu Plains, Emu Heights and Leonay. The study is being undertaken as part of the recommendations arising from “Achieving a Hawkesbury-Nepean Floodplain Management Strategy” (1997) for the Department of Land and Water Conservation.

The objective of this study was to quantify the extent of the flood problems experienced at the identified low points and to recommend appropriate works or measures to ensure evacuation routes for the Emu Plains area were available and trafficable for all events up to the 500 year ARI. This study has found that it was not possible to meet this objective for most low points investigated.