Huon River

Huon
Lower reaches of the Huon River in winter
Location of the Huon River mouth in Tasmania
Etymology	Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec, a French explorer
Location
Country	Australia
State	Tasmania
Region	South-west, South-east Tasmania
Cities	Judbury, Ranelagh, Huonville, Franklin, Cygnet (Port Cygnet)
Physical characteristics
Source	Marsden Range
• location	Southwest National Park below Junction Hill
• coordinates	42°54′S 146°20′E
• elevation	578 m (1,896 ft)
Mouth	D'Entrecasteaux Channel
• location	Surveyors Bay
• coordinates	43°16′52″S 147°6′51″E
Length	174 km (108 mi)
Basin features
Tributaries
• left	Weld River, Russell River, Little Denison River, Mountain River
• right	Anne River, Cracroft River, Picton River, Arve River
National park	Southwest National Park

The Huon River is a perennial river located in the south-west and south-east regions of Tasmania, Australia. At 174 kilometres (108 mi) in length, the Huon River is the fifth-longest in the state, with its course flowing east through the fertile Huon Valley and emptying into the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, before flowing into the Tasman Sea.

Location and features

The Huon River rises below Junction Hill in the Southwest National Park with much of its upper catchment drawn from the Marsden Range and associated peaks including Mount Anne, Mount Bowes and Mount Wedge. The river flows generally south through the south-eastern portion of Lake Pedder and is impounded at the Scotts Peak Dam. Thereafter, the river flows generally south-east to the Tahune Airwalk. From its source to mouth, the river is joined by 26 tributaries including the Anne, Cracroft, Picton, Weld, Arve, Russell, Little Denison and Mountain rivers.

After passing through the rural township of Glen Huon the river flows down rapids to merge with the sea water and become tidal. From there it flows through Huonville, Franklin and Cygnet (Port Cygnet). When the river meets its mouth and empties into the D'Entrecasteaux Channel at Surveyors Bay where the river is more than 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) wide. In the lower reaches, the average depth of wide river is 3 metres (9.8 ft) and maximum depth is 12 metres (39 ft).

Etymology

The river is named after the French Navy officer and explorer Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec.

See also

• List of rivers of Tasmania