Mortlock River

The Mortlock River is a perennial river located in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.

Mortlock
EtymologyHenry Mortlock Ommanney, a surveyor
Location
CountryAustralia
StateWestern Australia
RegionWheatbelt
Physical characteristics
Source 
  locationnear Belmunging
  coordinates31°51′48″S 117°9′2″E
  elevation249 m (817 ft)
MouthAvon River
  location
west of Northam
  coordinates
31°38′41″S 116°40′20″E
  elevation
146 m (479 ft)
Length81 km (50 mi)
Basin size16,800 km2 (6,500 sq mi)
Discharge 
  locationmouth
  average17,800,000 m3/s (630,000,000 cu ft/s)
Basin features
River systemAvon River
[1][2]

Course and features

The headwaters of the river rise near Belmunging then flow in a northerly direction, crossed by the Goldfields Road and continuing in a north-westerly direction to finally flow parallel to the Northam York Road and crossed by the Great Eastern Highway. The river is joined by three minor tributaries; Mortlock River North, Mortlock River East and Meenaar South Creek. The river discharges into the Avon River, just west of Northam. The Mortlock descends 103 metres (338 ft) over its 81-kilometre (50 mi) course.[1]

The river is saline and delivers the most salt (approximately 91 tonnes (90 long tons) per year) into the Avon River.

Name

The river was named after the surveyor Henry Mortlock Ommanney in the 1830s. Ommanney was the first European to visit the river during an expedition through the area in 1835.[3]

See also

References

  1. "Map of Mortlock River, WA". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  2. "Avon River Basin Natural Resource Management Plan". 2004. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
  3. Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of river names – M". Retrieved 1 September 2011.
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