Huon River

The Huon River is a perennial river located in the south-west and south-east regions of Tasmania, Australia. At 174 kilometres (108 mi) in length, the Huon River is the fifth-longest in the state, with its course flowing east through the fertile Huon Valley and emptying into the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, before flowing into the Tasman Sea.

Huon
Lower reaches of the Huon River in winter
Location of the Huon River mouth in Tasmania
EtymologyJean-Michel Huon de Kermadec, a French explorer
Location
CountryAustralia
StateTasmania
RegionSouth-west, South-east Tasmania
CitiesJudbury, Ranelagh, Huonville, Franklin, Cygnet (Port Cygnet)
Physical characteristics
SourceMarsden Range
 • locationSouthwest National Park below Junction Hill
 • coordinates42°54′S 146°20′E
 • elevation578 m (1,896 ft)
MouthD'Entrecasteaux Channel
 • location
Surveyors Bay
 • coordinates
43°16′52″S 147°6′51″E
Length174 km (108 mi)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftWeld River, Russell River, Little Denison River, Mountain River
 • rightAnne River, Cracroft River, Picton River, Arve River
National parkSouthwest National Park
[1]

Location and features

The Huon River rises below Junction Hill in the Southwest National Park with much of its upper catchment drawn from the Marsden Range and associated peaks including Mount Anne, Mount Bowes and Mount Wedge. The river flows generally south through the south-eastern portion of Lake Pedder and is impounded at the Scotts Peak Dam. Thereafter, the river flows generally south-east to the Tahune Airwalk. From its source to mouth, the river is joined by 26 tributaries including the Anne, Cracroft, Picton, Weld, Arve, Russell, Little Denison and Mountain rivers.

After passing through the rural township of Glen Huon the river flows down rapids to merge with the sea water and become tidal. From there it flows through Huonville, Franklin and Cygnet (Port Cygnet). When the river meets its mouth and empties into the D'Entrecasteaux Channel at Surveyors Bay[2] where the river is more than 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) wide. In the lower reaches, the average depth of wide river is 3 metres (9.8 ft) and maximum depth is 12 metres (39 ft).

Etymology

The river is named after the French Navy officer and explorer Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec.

See also

References
  1. "Map of Huon River, TAS". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  2. "Huon River: Anglers Access" (PDF brochure). Inland Fisheries Service. Government of Tasmania. Retrieved 30 June 2015.


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