Queanbeyan River
Queanbeyan Burra Creek, Sallee Creek Bredbo, New South Wales | |
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• coordinates | 35°56′24″S 149°27′35″E / 35.94000°S 149.45972°E |
• elevation | 1,260 m (4,130 ft) |
Murray-Darling basin | |
Reservoirs | Googong Reservoir, Queanbeyan Weir |
[3] |
The Queanbeyan River, a
region and whose water quality is specifically protected under Federal legislation.It is believed that the local Aboriginal
River course
The headwaters of the Queanbeyan River rise 70 kilometres (43 mi) east-southeast of Queanbeyan and about 40 kilometres (25 mi) northeast of the township of Bredbo, near the village of Jerangle. Fourteen tributaries upstream of the Googong Dam contribute to the river flow including the Burra, Urialla, Tinderry, Ballinafad, Groggy, Woolpack, Sherlock, Lyons, Towneys and Mile Creeks. The major river crossings above Googong Dam are the Boolboolma causeway on the Tinderry Road and a road bridge on the Captain's Flat-Jerangle Road.
Once inside the city precinct of Queanbeyan, the river is crossed by several bridges, including the Canberra-Goulburn railway, Morisset Street bridge, the Queens Bridge on Monaro Street (which becomes Bungendore Road or
Damming
The Queanbeyan Weir was constructed originally in 1901-2 which provided a pool in the Queanbeyan River near the centre of the town for the town's water supply. It is now a place for town beautification with several parks located along the river, such as Blundell Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, and Ray Morton Park. The weir also provides for minor irrigation requirements. A buttressed concrete gravity wall which was 58 metres (190 ft) long, raised an extra 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) to the height of 4 metres (13 ft) in 1951–1952. The weir has had serious impacts on native fish migration in the Queanbeyan River.
Googong Dam
The Googong Dam is located 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) upstream of the town of Queanbeyan. The dam was completed in 1979 and has a maximum carrying capacity of 124,500 megalitres (4,400×10 6 cu ft).
History
The Queanbeyan region is the traditional home of the
The Queanbeyan River was the main water supply for the towns of Queanbeyan and during its early history it was an integral element to its economy. Wool scouring (cleaning) was carried out in the river near presentday Oaks Estate, formerly a part of Queanbeyan.
Flooding
The first significant flood after European settlement of the site of Queanbeyan City was in 1851: others followed twice in 1852, twice in 1861, twice in 1870, 1891, 1910, 1922, 1925, 1952, 1974, 1975 and 1976.[7] A timeline compiled by a member of the Queanbeyan and District Historical Museum Society gives similar dates, extending to 2012.[8] It is yet to be updated to record another 6-metre (19.7 feet) flood on 6 June 2016.[9]
During the 1976 flood the half completed Googong Dam was at risk of collapse under the weight of water behind it. In this eventuality low-lying parts of Queanbeyan and Canberra would have been inundated. The Queanbeyan Cemetery was flooded, with scores of bodies washed downstream into Lake Burley Griffin.[10]
In December 2010 the Queanbeyan River peaked at 8.4 metres (28 ft) and broke its banks, flooding the Queanbeyan Riverside tourist park. All schools in the area were closed and some local schools were used as shelter for evacuated residents of around 100 houses and businesses.[11] Following extensive rains in the catchment, in March 2012 there were flooding alerts, however the river did not breach its banks.[12]
Fishing
The Queanbeyan River was renowned as a beautiful river abounding in native
Water quality
Under the Seat of Government Acceptance Act, 1909 (Cth), the Government of New South Wales guaranteed the Australian Capital Territory access to resources including water by protecting and not polluting the waters of the Queanbeyan River.[14]
The condition of the river as a native habitat below Googong Dam has been seen as unhealthy in recent years by the Queanbeyan City Council, with the river being overrun with carp and reeds. The Queanbeyan Council has put in place a resource development scheme to clean out the river, including a 'catch a carp' competition where the winners won $500 or fishing gear.
Other wildlife
The Queanbeyan River has a range of native wildlife ranging from wombats and kangaroos which are often found grazing on the banks to the not commonly seen platypus. The area surrounding the Queanbeyan River supports a large population of Eastern grey Kangaroos. There is also a small number of platypuses.
See also
- List of rivers of Australia
- List of rivers of Australia § Australian Capital Territory
- List of rivers of New South Wales (L–Z)
- Rivers of New South Wales
References
- ^ a b "Queanbeyan River". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
- ^ a b "Queanbeyan". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
- ^ a b "Map of Queanbeyan River". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
- ^ "Molonglo Catchment Strategy: 2004-2024" (PDF). Molonglo Catchment Group Inc. May 2005. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ "Molonglo Catchment Strategy: 2004-2024" (PDF). Molonglo Catchment Group Inc. May 2005. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ Queanbeyan City Council Strategic Overview – Part 1: 2007-08 to 2009-10. Queanbeyan City Council.
- ^ Cross, R. 'Queanbeyan Flood Record Over 106 Years', Queanbeyan Age, 21 June 1978, p. 19
- ^ "Queanbeyan's Timeline | Queanbeyan Museum".
- ^ Tündern-Smith, A. Canberra History News, December 2016, pp 1-2.
- ^ Byrnes, Jason (Spring 1999). "Team History: (Police) Divers" (PDF). Australian Federal Police Association Journal (1). Austral Media Group P/L: 14.
- ^ "Queanbeyan a natural disaster as flood peaks". ABC News. Australia. 9 December 2010. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
- ^ Hope, Ben (3 March 2012). "Queanbeyan remains on flood watch as rain continues". The Queanbeyan Age. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
- ^ Lintermans, M (2000). The Status of Fish in the Australian Capital Territory: A Review of Current Knowledge and Management Requirements. Technical Report No. 15. Canberra: Environment ACT.
- ^ McIntyre, R. A; et al. (2003). Augmentation of Water Supply to the ACT and region. Engineers Australia (Canberra Division).
External links
- "Murrumbidgee and Lake George catchments" (map). Office of Environment and Heritage. Government of New South Wales.
- "Queanbeyan River, including impact of Googong Dam". Environment ACT. 2005. Archived from the original on 24 June 2005.
- "Queanbeyan River management". Queanbeyan City Council.
- "Googong Dam". Water storage. ACTEW Corporation. 2011. Archived from the originalon 21 April 2013.
- "Fish in the Murrumbidgee catchment" (PDF).