Assessing the potential underestimation of sediment and nutrient loads to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon during floods

► Underestimation of marine sediment and nutrient loads during floods. ► Twenty-eight coastal GBR rivers assessed for significant correction for over bank flows. ► Most GBR rivers may need a load correction as over 15% of flow occurs during floods. ► Only seven rivers need little or no correction as they have less than 5% flood flow.