Fitzroy River (Queensland)
Fitzroy | |
---|---|
Dharumbal) | |
Location | |
Country | Australia |
State | Queensland |
Region | Central Queensland |
City | Rockhampton |
Physical characteristics | |
Source confluence | Dawson River and Mackenzie River |
• coordinates | 23°37′39″S 149°46′1″E / 23.62750°S 149.76694°E |
Mouth | Coral Sea |
• location | near Port Alma |
• coordinates | 23°32′15″S 150°53′13″E / 23.53750°S 150.88694°E |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
Length | 480 km (300 mi) |
Basin size | 142,665 km2 (55,083 sq mi) |
Discharge | |
• average | 187 m3/s (6,600 cu ft/s) |
Basin features | |
National park | Goodedulla National Park |
[2] |
The Fitzroy River (Darumbal: Toonooba)[1] is a river in Central Queensland, Australia. Its catchment covers an area of 142,665 square kilometres (55,083 sq mi), making it the largest river catchment flowing to the eastern coast of Australia.[3] It is also the largest river basin that discharges onto the Great Barrier Reef.[4]
Course and features
Formed by the
From source to mouth, the Fitzroy River is joined by thirty-six tributaries including the Mackenzie River – with its tributaries the Nogoa River, Comet River, Isaac River and its tributary Connors River; and the Dawson River – which has two tributaries, the Don River and Dee River.[2][6]
Catchment
The catchment area of the river occupies an area of 142,665 square kilometres (55,083 sq mi)
The river has a mean annual discharge of 5,900 gigalitres (7.717×109 cu yd). There are also several important aquifers providing groundwater extractions in the Fitzroy Basin.[8]
The Fitzroy River basin is one of a number that experienced extensive flooding during the
Reservoirs
The Fitzroy River catchment system has many
The Fairbairn Dam on the Nogoa River and several weirs downstream on the Mackenzie River provide water for irrigating a wide range of crops including cotton, peanuts, chickpea, corn and horticulture including citrus, table grapes, melons, supplying water for coal mines and domestic use for the town of Emerald.
Rookwood Weir was completed in 2023. It is the largest weir built in the country since World War II.[9]
History
The
The river was given its English name by European colonial settlers and pastoralists,
The city of Rockhampton is situated on the river, some 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the coast. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the city was a major port, however rocky bars in the river prevented the Fitzroy from being used for navigation any further inland. As ships became larger, the lower reaches became less viable for commercial traffic, and today only pleasure craft and small commercial fishing boats use the river.[13] Wharves which once lined the town reach at Rockhampton have now almost all disintegrated or been removed. Port Alma, in the Fitzroy River delta is now the nearest port to Rockhampton. Predominant industries in the catchment are coal mining, grazing and cotton.[14]
The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton is often utilised for recreation. The Rockhampton Ski Gardens on the Fitzroy River just upstream from the
In 2018, the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton was incorporated into the Queen's Baton Relay prior to the 2018 Commonwealth Games. After running his leg of the relay, batonbearer Mark Knowles handed the Queen's Baton to fellow batonbearer Craig McCormack who was then rowed across the river on a dragon boat as part of the relay.[23][24]
Wildlife
The lower reaches of the river are home to salt water crocodiles. In 2003 a crocodile measuring more than 4 metres (13 ft) long was captured.[citation needed] The most diverse range of freshwater fish in the country are found within the Fitzroy basin.[5] The prized Australian fish, the barramundi, breeds in the river along with sooty grunter and a separate genetic strain of golden perch.[5]
Some 987 square kilometres (381 sq mi) of the river's floodplain and delta have been classified by BirdLife International as the Fitzroy Floodplain and Delta Important Bird Area (IBA). It regularly supports over 1% of the world population of the sharp-tailed sandpiper as well as having a resident breeding population of the range-restricted mangrove honeyeater.[25]
At the mouth of the river researchers have discovered a genetically distinct
Gallery
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Shipping on the Fitzroy River, Rockhampton wharves, c. 1887
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Rockhampton in flood
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Rockhampton in flood, 2013
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The lower reaches of the river are an important site for mangrove honeyeaters
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Fitzroy River (entry 12565)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
- ^ a b c "Map of Fitzroy River, QLD". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
- ^ ISBN 0-9758172-0-5.
- . Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-86513-134-4.
- ^ "Fitzroy Basin Resource Operations Plan" (PDF). Department of Natural Resources and Water. Brisbane: Queensland Government. September 2015.
- ^ "Fitzroy drainage basin". Wetlandinfo. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ "Fitzroy Basin Draft Resource Operations Plan - Overview Report" (PDF). Queensland Government. October 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ Beavan, Katrina; Hines, Jasmine (22 November 2023). "Rookwood Weir opens in central Queensland after construction delays from rain". ABC News. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ "Baiali". AusAnthrop Australian Aboriginal tribal database. Ausanthrop. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ "Jetimarala". AusAnthrop Australian Aboriginal tribal database. Ausanthrop. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- CC-BY-4.0 licensed text from: "Yetimarala". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- ISBN 0-7022-1620-8.
- ^ "Cooperative research center catchments". Retrieved 3 February 2017.
- ^ "Glenmore Homestead (entry 600823)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ^ About Us, Rockhampton Water Ski Club website. Accessed 29 March 2018.
- ^ Sporting Clubs: Dragon Boat Archived 29 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine Kickstart CQ website. Accessed 29 March 2018.
- ^ Hinchcliffe, Jessica Fitzroy River to host rowing Masters, ABC Capricornia, 2 May 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ Fox, Sean Revealed: Rocky's stunning riverbank revitalisation, The Morning Bulletin, 16 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
- ^ Smith, Leighton Rocky River Run a rippa day out for great cause Archived 15 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine, The Morning Bulletin, 29 May 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
- ^ Conway-Dodd, Zhanae Whopper barra second biggest in comp's 19 year history Archived 11 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine, The Morning Bulletin, 29 October 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ Major Council Events: Rockhampton River Festival 2018 Archived 29 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Rockhampton Regional Council website. Accessed 29 March 2018.
- ^ Once in a lifetime: Queen's Baton brings Rocky together, The Morning Bulletin, 24 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ Queen's Baton Rocks into Rocky, Gold Coast 2018 website, 23 March 2018. Accessed 29 March 2018.
- ^ "IBA: Fitzroy Floodplain and Delta". Birdata. Birds Australia. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ^ "Coal port could wipe out dolphin pod: WWF". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
- London Evening Standard. p. 42.
External links
- Map of the Fitzroy River catchment area, from Australia's Bureau of Meteorology
- Fitzroy Basin water planning area (PDF) (Map). Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland Government. 11 September 2015.
- "Fitzroy Basin". Fitzroy Basin Association.
- "Helping protect Queensland's largest catchment". Fitzroy River and Coastal Catchments Inc. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2015.