Maranoa River

The Maranoa River, part of the Murray-Darling basin, is a river situated in South West Queensland, Australia.

Maranoa
Downstream of the Maranoa River at Mitchell
Location of the Maranoa River mouth
in Queensland
Location
CountryAustralia
StateQueensland
RegionSouth West Queensland
Physical characteristics
SourceConsuelo Tableland
Source confluenceEast and West branches of the Maranoa River
 • locationCarnarvon National Park
 • coordinates25°17′20″S 147°46′02″E
 • elevation574 m (1,883 ft)
Mouthconfluence with the Balonne River
 • location
Lake Kajarabie
 • coordinates
27°50′11″S 148°36′57″E
 • elevation
207 m (679 ft)
Length519 km (322 mi)
Basin size20,039 km2 (7,737 sq mi)
Basin features
River systemDarling River catchment,
Murray–Darling basin
Tributaries 
 • leftMerivale River
National parkCarnarvon National Park
[1][2]

Course and features

Formed by the confluence of the west and east branches of the river, the Maranoa River rises on the Consuelo Tableland in the Carnarvon National Park. The valleys in the river's catchment area are broad rather than gorge-like as in the nearby Carnarvon Gorge, with isolated bluffs and pillars of sandstone on sandy plains.[3] The Maranoa passes through Mitchell and flows south towards St George. The river reaches its confluence with the Balonne River north of St George. The Balonne eventually flows into the Darling River (via a few branches), so it contributes to the Murray-Darling Basin. From source to mouth, the Maranoa is joined by 31 tributaries including the Merivale River and descends 366 metres (1,201 ft) over its 519-kilometre (322 mi) course.[1]

The Warrego Highway crosses the river at Mitchell.

The Neil Turner Weir was built on the river in 1984. It provides limited supplies for irrigation purposes.[4] It also regulates streamflow and has recreational uses.

Major flooding on the river occurred in 1990.[5]

A number of Australian folksongs (such as Sandy Maranoa and The Maranoa Drovers) refer to this river.

See also

References
  1. "Map of Maranoa River". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  2. "Water resources: Overview - Queensland". Australian Natural Resources Atlas. Australian Government. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  3. "Mount Moffatt, Carnarvon National Park - Nature, culture and history". Department of Environment and Resource Management. 9 June 2011. Archived from the original on 26 November 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  4. "Maranoa River". SunWater. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  5. "Flood Warning System For The Condamine-Balonne River Below Cotswold". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
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