Watts River

The Watts River is a perennial river of the Port Phillip and Western Port catchment, located near Healesville, in the Central Victoria region of the Australian state of Victoria.

Watts
Mouth of the Watts River in Victoria
Native nameBroong-ku-galk[1]
Location
CountryAustralia
StateVictoria
RegionSouth Eastern Highlands (IBRA), Central Victoria
Local government areaYarra Ranges Shire
TownHealesville
Physical characteristics
SourceYarra Ranges, Great Dividing Range
 • locationbelow Mount Vinegar
 • coordinates37°39′31″S 145°41′58″E
 • elevation865 m (2,838 ft)
Mouthconfluence with the Yarra River
 • location
south of Healesville
 • coordinates
37°39′55″S 145°29′20″E
 • elevation
77 m (253 ft)
Length29 km (18 mi)
Basin features
River systemPort Phillip and Western Port catchment
Tributaries 
 • rightMeyers Creek
[2][3]

Location and features

The Watts River rises below Mount Vinegar within the Yarra Ranges, a part of the Great Dividing Range, within the Watts River Reference Area, near the settlement of Somers Park, north east of Healesville. The river flows generally south, then northwest, then southwest where it is impounded by the Maroondah Dam to create the 22,000-megalitre (780×10^6 cu ft) Maroondah Reservoir.[4] After flowing over the dam spillway, the river flows generally west by south, joined by the Meyers Creek,[5] before reaching its confluence with the Yarra River south of Healesville. The river descends 788 metres (2,585 ft) over its 29 kilometres (18 mi) course.[3]

The river became part of Melbourne's water supply system in 1891, with the construction of a diversion weir and the Maroondah Aqueduct. At that time, the catchments were closed and cleared of human habitation. The river was dammed in 1927 to form Maroondah Reservoir. It is largely contained in the forested reservoir catchment within the Yarra Ranges National Park.[4]

The river is traversed by the Maroondah Highway, upriver of the Maroondah Reservoir.[3]

Etymology

In the Australian Aboriginal Woiwurrung language, the name for the river is Broong-ku-galk, with galk meaning "timber" or "sticks".[1]

See also

References
  1. "Watts River: 29030: Traditional name: Broong-ku-galk". Vicnames. Government of Victoria. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  2. "Watts River: 29030". Vicnames. Government of Victoria. 2 May 1966. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  3. "Map of Watts River, VIC". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  4. Ritchie, E. G. (October 1934). "Melbourne's Water Supply Undertaking" (PDF). Journal of Institution of Engineers Australia. 6: 379–382. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2011.
  5. "Port Phillip and Westernport Regional River Health Strategy". Melbourne Water and Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority. Retrieved 14 September 2010.


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