Watson River (Queensland)

This article is about the river located in Far North Queensland. For other uses, see Watson River.
Watson
River
Country Australia
State Queensland
Region Far North Queensland
Source Emberley Range
 - elevation 40 m (131 ft)
Mouth Gulf of Carpentaria
 - location Archer Bay
 - elevation 0 m (0 ft)
 - coordinates 13°22′45″S 141°43′50″E / 13.37917°S 141.73056°E / -13.37917; 141.73056Coordinates: 13°22′45″S 141°43′50″E / 13.37917°S 141.73056°E / -13.37917; 141.73056
Length 92 km (57 mi)
Basin 4,679 km2 (1,807 sq mi)
Location of Watson River mouth in Queensland
[1]

The Watson River is a river located in Far North Queensland, Australia.

The headwaters of the river rise near the Aurukun Road and flows in a south westerly direction to Watson Crossing and continues through a valley before discharging into Archer Bay near Aurukun along with the Archer River and the Ward River, then onto the Gulf of Carpentaria. From source to mouth, the Watson River is joined by four tributaries; descending 40 metres (130 ft) over its 92-kilometre (57 mi) course.[1]

The catchment occupies an area of 4,679 square kilometres (1,807 sq mi) and is bordered by the Archer River drainage basin to the south.[2] The catchment contains large wetland areas with the margins covered in stringybark forests and paperbark lined lagoons that are vital refuges for wildlife during the dry season.[3]

Several species of fish are known to inhabit the river including; The Empire Gudgeon, Northern Trout Gudgeon, Chequered Rainbowfish, Black-banded Rainbowfish, Banded Rainbowfish, Spotted Blue-eye.[4] Obbes Catfish, Delicate Blue-eyes Fish and Barramundi.[3]

The traditional owners of the area are the Wik, Winda winda and Mbelwum peoples.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Map of Watson River, QLD". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "Watson drainage basin". WetlandInfo. Queensland Government. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Watson River – Conservation and cultural values". Wilderness society. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Watson River catchment". Fish Atlas of North Australia. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
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