Hopkins River

The Hopkins River, a perennial river of the Glenelg Hopkins catchment, is located in the Western District of Victoria, Australia.

This article is about the river in Victoria (Australia). For the river in New Zealand, see Hopkins River (New Zealand).

Hopkins
Hopkins Falls, near Wangoom, in 1993
Location of the Hopkins River mouth in Victoria
EtymologyIn honour of Sir John Paul Hopkins.[1][2][3]
Location
CountryAustralia
StateVictoria
RegionVictorian Midlands (IBRA), Western District
Local government areaMoyne Shire, Warrnambool
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationnear Ararat
 • coordinates38°0′54″S 142°8′15″E
 • elevation338 m (1,109 ft)
MouthSouthern Ocean
 • location
Warrnambool
 • coordinates
38°24′9″S 142°30′29″E
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length271 km (168 mi)
Basin features
River systemGlenelg Hopkins catchment
Tributaries 
 • leftJacksons Creek (Moyne Shire, Victoria), Salt Creek (Moyne Shire, Victoria), Stony Creek (Moyne Shire, Victoria), Mount Emu Creek, Brucknell Creek
 • rightBack Creek (Moyne Shire, Victoria), Reedy Creek (Moyne Shire, Victoria), Bushy Creek (Moyne Shire, Victoria), Back Creek, Two (Moyne Shire, Victoria), Chirrup Creek, Grays Creek, Mustons Creek
WaterfallHopkins Falls
[4]

Course and features

The Hopkins River rises below Telegraph Hill near Ararat, and flows generally south, joined by twelve tributaries including the Mount Emu Creek, before reaching its mouth and emptying into Bass Strait at Warrnambool. The river descends 338 metres (1,109 ft) over its 271-kilometre (168 mi) course.[4] The river and its tributaries drain much of Lake Bolac; and north of Allansford the river descends over the 11–13-metre (36–43 ft) Hopkins Falls.[5]

Together with the Merri River, the Hopkins flows through the regional centre of Warrnambool; and the river passes by the end of the Great Ocean Road near Allansford.[4]

River health

The Hopkins River is in extremely poor health with less than 5% of the river having natural bush and vegetation.

Re-vegetation

The Hopkins River Re-vegetation Project (HRRP) was commenced in 2016 by the Ellerslie Residents Group Inc.

Phase 1

Phase 1 of the HRRP project commenced in 2016 in Ellerslie. The Project is located between the Hopkins Highway bridge and the historic bridge.

Phase 2 & 3

Phases 2 & 3 of the project are planned to take place on the eastern bank between the phase 1 site and the Stony Creek Junction.

Etymology

The river was named in 1836 by Major Thomas Mitchell after a friend, Sir John Paul Hopkins.[1][2][3]

References
  1. Mitchell, Thomas (1838). "Three Expeditions into the interior of Eastern Australia". London: Boone.
  2. Reed, A. W. (1973). Place names of Australia. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7301-0051-0.
  3. Bird, Eric (12 October 2006). "Place Names on the Coast of Victoria" (PDF) (PDF). Australian National Placename Survey (ANPS). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 February 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  4. "Map of Hopkins River, VIC". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  5. "Map of Hopkins Falls, VIC". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
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