Gascoyne River
| Gascoyne River | |
|---|---|
 The Gascoyne Riverbed near Carnarvon. |
|
| Origin | Robinson Ranges near Gibson Desert |
| Mouth | Shark Bay |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Length | 760 kilometres (472 mi) |
| Source elevation | 514 metres (1,686 ft)[1] |
| Basin area | 26,381 square miles (68,326 km2)[2] |
At 760 km, the Gascoyne River is the longest river in Western Australia. The river rises below Wilgoona Hill in the Robinson Ranges west of the Gibson Desert and it flows into Shark Bay and the Indian Ocean at Carnarvon. It is joined by the 561 kilometres (349 mi) long Lyons River about 160 kilometres (99 mi) above its mouth which together provide a catchment area of 68,326 square kilometres (26,381 sq mi). This area lies entirely to the east of the Kennedy Ranges and extends some 480 kilometres (298 mi) inland.
The river is made up of three branches:
- The Gascoyne River Middle, is the middle 15 kilometres (9 mi) branch.
- The Gascoyne River North, is the Northern 125 kilometres (78 mi) branch, which rises near the Collier Range.
- The Gascoyne River Middle, is the Southern 15 kilometres (9 mi) branch, which rises near the Doolgunna homestead.[3]
The Gascoyne has 36 tributaries including Landor River, Thomas River, Thirty one River, Coodewa Creek, Nanular Creek, Cream Creek, Moorayana Creek, Shay Creek, Turner Creek and Jacobs Gully.
It is said to be an upside-down river, as it flows for about 120 days of the year and below the dry river bed for the remainder of the year. It is in effect a huge water storage system with the river's aquifers lying below the desert sands.
It flows through sparsely vegetated countryside which is used mainly for gold-mining and sheep stations. The river flows through many permanent pools that are valuable to both stock and native species. Some of the main pools located along the river include Tibbingoona Pool, Mutherbokin Pool and Mibbley Pool.
The river was named by the explorer Lieutenant George Grey who discovered the river in 1839 and named it "after my friend, Captain J. Gascoyne" (RN).
[edit] December 2010 floods
The December 2010 floods have been considered the most damaging flood on record [4] The size of the flood, and the region it affected has also created serious issues for the region [5]
[edit] Notes
- ^ "Bonzle Digital Atlas - Map of Gascoyne River, WA". 2008. http://maps.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&cmd=sp&p=213511&st=&s=Gascoyne%20River. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ^ "Total Travel - Gascoyne River". 2006. http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/wa/gascoyne/carnarvon/attractions/natural-attractions/11155726. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- ^ Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of river names". http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/corporate.nsf/web/History+of+river+names. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
- ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/21/3098255.htm
- ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/21/3098644.htm
Coordinates: 24°52′S 113°38′E / 24.867°S 113.633°E
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