Castlereagh River
| Castlereagh River | |
| Mostly perennial river[1] | |
 The river seen from the Castlereagh Highway, south of Walgett | |
| Name origin: in honour of Lord Castlereagh[1] | |
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Regions | IBRA: Brigalow Belt South, Darling Riverine Plains |
| Districts | Central West, Orana |
| Municipalities | Warrumbungle, Coonamble, Walgett |
| Towns and Settlements | Coonabarabran, Binnaway, Mendooran Gilgandra, Gulargambone, Coonamble |
| Source | Warrumbungles |
| - location | west of Coonabarabran |
| - elevation | 630 m (2,067 ft) |
| Mouth | confluence with the Macquarie River |
| - location | west of Walgett |
| - elevation | 121 m (397 ft) |
| Length | 541 km (336 mi) |
| [2] | |
Castlereagh River, a mostly perennial river[1] that is part of the Macquarie catchment within the Murray–Darling basin, is located in the central–western district of New South Wales, Australia.
The river rises in the heart of the Warrumbungle mountains and initially flows east through the town of Coonabarabran. It then follows a looping course to the south, west, and finally northwest, joined by 26 minor tributaries, towards its confluence with the Macquarie River; dropping 509 metres (1,670 ft) over its course of 541 kilometres (336 mi).[2] The Castlereagh River has a highly variable flow, and often, low to no flow.[3]
From upstream towards downstream, the Castlereagh River flows through or near the towns of Coonabarabran, Binnaway, Mendooran, Gilgandra and Coonamble.
The Castlereagh River is partly a subterranean river. When there is no water on the surface of the river there is always a stream of water running underground.
History
European history
The Castlereagh River was discovered in 1818 by George Evans and explored by John Oxley,[4] who named the river in honour of Lord Castlereagh the same year.[1]
In January 2010, major flooding along the river inundated more than 400 rural properties.[5] Fodder drops were needed and some livestock had to be moved.
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Castlereagh River". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- 1 2 "Map of Castlereagh River". Bonzle.com. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ↑ "Macquarie–Castlereagh". Explore the Basin. Murray-Darling Basin Authority. 2008. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ↑ "Search for the Inland Sea". Exploration. State Library of New South Wales. 2005. Retrieved 13 July 2006.
- ↑ "New South Wales in 2010: La Niña brings wettest year in half a century". Annual Climate Summary for New South Wales. Bureau of Meteorology. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
External links
- "Castlereagh River catchment" (map). Office of Environment and Heritage. Government of New South Wales.
- Castlereagh River Profile sourced from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
Coordinates: 30°12′S 147°32′E / 30.200°S 147.533°E
