Watts River
| Watts | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Broong-ku-galk (Woiwurrung)[1] |
| Location | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Victoria |
| Region | South Eastern Highlands (IBRA), Central Victoria |
| Local government area | Yarra Ranges Shire |
| Town | Healesville |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Yarra Ranges, Great Dividing Range |
| • location | below Mount Vinegar |
| • coordinates | 37°39′31″S 145°41′58″E / 37.65861°S 145.69944°E |
| • elevation | 865 m (2,838 ft) |
| Mouth | confluence with the Yarra River |
• location | south of Healesville |
• coordinates | 37°39′55″S 145°29′20″E / 37.66528°S 145.48889°E |
• elevation | 77 m (253 ft) |
| Length | 29 km (18 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Port Phillip and Western Port catchment |
| Tributaries | |
| • right | Meyers Creek |
| [2][3] | |
The Watts River is a perennial river of the Port Phillip and Western Port catchment, located in the Healesville area, in the Central region of the Australian state of Victoria.
Location and features[edit]
The Watts River rises below Mount Vinegar in the Yarra Ranges, a part of the Great Dividing Range, within the Watts River Reference Area, near the settlement of Somers Park, north-east of Healesville. The river flows generally south, then north-west, then south-west, where it is impounded by the Maroondah Dam to create the 22,000-megalitre (780×106 cu ft) Maroondah Reservoir.[4] After flowing over the dam spillway, the river flows generally west by south, joined by Meyers Creek,[5] before reaching its confluence with the Yarra River south of Healesville. The river descends 788 metres (2,585 ft) over its 29-kilometre (18 mi) course.[3]
Watts River became part of Melbourne's water supply system in 1891, with the construction of a diversion weir and the Maroondah Aqueduct. At that time, the catchments were closed and cleared of human habitation. The river was dammed in 1927 to form the Maroondah Reservoir, which is largely contained in the forested reservoir catchment within the Yarra Ranges National Park.[4]
The river is traversed by the Maroondah Highway, upriver of the Maroondah Reservoir.[3]
Naming[edit]
In the Aboriginal Woiwurrung language, the name of the river is Broong-ku-galk, with galk meaning "timber" or "sticks".[1]
The European name derives from the surname of a stockman who drowned in the river in about 1843.[6]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Historical Information". Vicnames. Government of Victoria. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
- ^ "Watts River: 29030". Vicnames. Government of Victoria. 2 May 1966. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
- ^ a b c "Map of Watts River, VIC". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
- ^ a b Ritchie, E. G. (October 1934). "Melbourne's Water Supply Undertaking" (PDF). Journal of Institution of Engineers Australia. 6: 379–382. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2011.
- ^ "Port Phillip and Westernport Regional River Health Strategy". Melbourne Water and Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
- ^ "Latrobe Journal 97 Appendices" (PDF). State Library of Victoria. p. 103. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
External links[edit]
Waterways of the Melbourne Water catchment, Victoria, Australia | |
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| Rivers |
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| Creeks |
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| Lakes |
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| Drains | Bunyip Main Drain
Wylies Drain |
| Other | |
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