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Wenlock River: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 12°00′54″S 141°55′50″E / 12.01500°S 141.93056°E / -12.01500; 141.93056
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{{Short description|River in Queensland, Australia}}
The '''Wenlock River''' is a major river of the [[Cape York Peninsula]] in [[Far North Queensland]], [[Australia]]. It rises in the [[Great Dividing Range]], flows north-west through [[tropical savanna]] plains and [[wetland]]s, and enters the [[Gulf of Carpentaria]] on the western side of the peninsula at [[Port Musgrave]] just north of the town of [[Mapoon, Queensland|Mapoon]]. Much of the river is bordered by [[gallery forest|gallery]] [[rainforest]]s which provide habitat for animals such as the [[White-tailed Rat]], [[Spotted Cuscus]] and [[Palm Cockatoo]]. During the [[wet season]] the river floods, replenishing the wetlands. With some 48 species, the river contains the highest diversity of [[freshwater]] [[fish]] of all Australian rivers, many of which are shared with the rivers of southern New Guinea. They include the rare [[Buffon's River Garfish]] and [[Fimbriate Gudgeon]], as well as the [[Largetooth sawfish|Freshwater Sawfish]] and more widespread species such as the [[Gulf saratoga|Saratoga]] and [[Barramundi]]. The river is also home to one of Queensland’s largest breeding populations of the [[Saltwater Crocodile]].<ref name=wr>[http://wildrivers.org.au/rivers/cape/wenlock_river Wild Rivers: Wenlock River]</ref>
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

{{Infobox river
| name = Wenlock
| name_native =
| name_native_lang =
| name_other =
| name_etymology = In honour of [[Arthur Lawley, 6th Baron Wenlock|Baron Wenlock]]<ref name=QPN/>
<!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->
| image = Crossing the Wenlock River. Hope there are no crocodiles.jpg
| image_size = 280
| image_caption = Crossing the Wenlock River on a makeshift vehicle raft in Wet Season, 1990. This was the only safe way to cross the river until the installation of a bridge in 2001.
| map =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = Australia Queensland
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption= Location of the Wenlock River [[river mouth|mouth]] in Queensland
<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[Australia]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[States and territories of Australia|State]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Queensland]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Regions of Queensland|Region]]
⚫
| subdivision_name3 = [[Far North Queensland]]
| subdivision_type4 =
| subdivision_name4 =
| subdivision_type5 =
| subdivision_name5 =
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| length = {{convert|322|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location=
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg =
| discharge1_max =
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| source1 = [[Great Dividing Range]]
| source1_location = below Jacks Knob
| source1_coordinates=
| source1_elevation = {{convert|215|m|abbr=on}}
| mouth = [[Port Musgrave]], [[Gulf of Carpentaria]]
| mouth_location = {{QLDcity|Mapoon}}
⚫
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|12|00|54|S|141|55|50|E|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|0|m|abbr=on}}
| progression =
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{convert|7526|km2|abbr=on}}
| tributaries_left =
| tributaries_right =
| custom_label = [[Waterfall]]
| custom_data = Wenlock Falls
| extra = <ref name=bonzle>{{cite web|url=http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=211497&cmd=sp|title=Map of Wenlock River, QLD|access-date=6 December 2015|work=Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia}}</ref>
}}

The '''Wenlock River''' is a [[river]] located on the [[Cape York Peninsula]] in [[Far North Queensland]], [[Australia]].

==Course and features==
[[File:Saltwater Crocodile on a river bank. in Australia.jpg|thumb|left|The river has a large population of saltwater crocodiles]]
The river rises on the western slopes of the [[Great Dividing Range]] below Jacks Knob, west of Nundah homestead. The river flows generally north-west through [[tropical savanna]] plains and [[wetland]]s, joined by fifteen minor [[tributary|tributaries]], before reaching its [[river mouth|mouth]] and joining with the [[Ducie River]] on the western side of the peninsula at [[Port Musgrave]], just north of [[Mapoon Aboriginal Mission Queensland|Mapoon]]. Finally, the Wenlock River enters the [[Gulf of Carpentaria]] and descends {{convert|215|m}} over its {{convert|322|km|adj=on}} [[watercourse|course]].<ref name=bonzle/> The total catchment size is {{convert|7526|km2}}.<ref name="anra">{{cite web |url=http://www.anra.gov.au/topics/water/overview/qld/basin-wenlock-river.html |title=Water resources - Overview - Queensland - Basin & Surface Water Management Area: Wenlock River |access-date=6 December 2009 |work=Australian Natural Resources Atlas |publisher=[[Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts]] }}</ref>

The river has no water storage facilities built on it and there is little development within the [[drainage basin]], resulting in a low population. In 2010, the [[Queensland Government]] declared the river a "wild river", one of thirteen Queensland rivers that are free of [[dam]]s, [[weir]]s, irrigation schemes and industrial development, and remain largely intact.<ref name=wr/>

Much of the river is bordered by [[gallery forest|gallery rainforest]]s which provide habitat for animals such as the [[white-tailed rat]], [[spotted cuscus]] and [[palm cockatoo]]. During the [[wet season]] the river floods, replenishing the wetlands. With some 48 species, the river contains the highest diversity of [[freshwater]] [[fish]] of all Australian rivers,<ref name="cm">{{cite news |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/land-buyout-saves-nature/story-e6freoof-1111118052581 |title=Australian Wildlife Conservancy in huge land buyout |author=Williams, Brian |access-date=18 July 2010 |date=16 November 2008 |work=[[The Courier-Mail]] }}</ref> many of which are shared with the rivers of southern New Guinea. They include [[Buffon's river garfish]] and [[fimbriate gudgeon]], as well as the [[Largetooth sawfish|freshwater sawfish]] and more common species such as the [[Long-nose sooty grunter|sooty grunter]], [[Scleropages jardinii|saratoga]] and [[barramundi]]. The river is also home to one of Queensland’s largest breeding populations of the [[saltwater crocodile]].<ref name=wr>{{cite web |url=https://www.wilderness.org.au/queenslands-wild-rivers-0 |title=Queensland's Wild Rivers |publisher=[[The Wilderness Society (Australia)|The Wilderness Society]] |access-date=6 December 2015 }}</ref>

Originally named the Batavia River, the river was renamed in 1939, reportedly in honour of [[Arthur Lawley, 6th Baron Wenlock|Baron Wenlock]].<ref name=QPN>{{cite QPN|36991|Wenlock River|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|Water|Environment|Queensland}}}}
*{{Section link|List of rivers of Australia|Queensland}}
*[[Wenlock Goldfield]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


⚫
{{Rivers of Queensland}}
⚫
{{coord|12|03|S|141|55|E|display=title}}
⚫
[[Category:Rivers of Queensland]]
⚫
[[Category:Far North Queensland]]



[[Category:Rivers of Far North Queensland]]
{{Queensland-geo-stub}}
[[Category:Gulf of Carpentaria]]

Latest revision as of 00:32, 29 March 2024

Wenlock
Crossing the Wenlock River on a makeshift vehicle raft in Wet Season, 1990. This was the only safe way to cross the river until the installation of a bridge in 2001.
Wenlock River is located in Queensland
Wenlock River
Location of the Wenlock River mouth in Queensland
EtymologyIn honour of Baron Wenlock[1]
Standort
LandAustralien
StateQueensland
RegionFar North Queensland
Physical characteristics
SourceGreat Dividing Range
 • locationbelow Jacks Knob
 • elevation215 m (705 ft)
MouthPort Musgrave, Gulf of Carpentaria
 • location
Mapoon
 • coordinates
12°00′54″S 141°55′50″E / 12.01500°S 141.93056°E / -12.01500; 141.93056
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length322 km (200 mi)
Basin size7,526 km2 (2,906 sq mi)
Basin features
WaterfallWenlock Falls
[2]

The Wenlock River is a river located on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Australia.

Course and features

[edit]
The river has a large population of saltwater crocodiles

The river rises on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range below Jacks Knob, west of Nundah homestead. The river flows generally north-west through tropical savanna plains and wetlands, joined by fifteen minor tributaries, before reaching its mouth and joining with the Ducie River on the western side of the peninsula at Port Musgrave, just north of Mapoon. Finally, the Wenlock River enters the Gulf of Carpentaria and descends 215 metres (705 ft) over its 322-kilometre (200 mi) course.[2] The total catchment size is 7,526 square kilometres (2,906 sq mi).[3]

The river has no water storage facilities built on it and there is little development within the drainage basin, resulting in a low population. In 2010, the Queensland Government declared the river a "wild river", one of thirteen Queensland rivers that are free of dams, weirs, irrigation schemes and industrial development, and remain largely intact.[4]

Much of the river is bordered by gallery rainforests which provide habitat for animals such as the white-tailed rat, spotted cuscus and palm cockatoo. During the wet season the river floods, replenishing the wetlands. With some 48 species, the river contains the highest diversity of freshwater fish of all Australian rivers,[5] many of which are shared with the rivers of southern New Guinea. They include Buffon's river garfish and fimbriate gudgeon, as well as the freshwater sawfish and more common species such as the sooty grunter, saratoga and barramundi. The river is also home to one of Queensland’s largest breeding populations of the saltwater crocodile.[4]

Originally named the Batavia River, the river was renamed in 1939, reportedly in honour of Baron Wenlock.[1]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Wenlock River (entry 36991)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Map of Wenlock River, QLD". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Water resources - Overview - Queensland - Basin & Surface Water Management Area: Wenlock River". Australian Natural Resources Atlas. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  4. ^ a b "Queensland's Wild Rivers". The Wilderness Society. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  5. ^ Williams, Brian (16 November 2008). "Australian Wildlife Conservancy in huge land buyout". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
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