The Wingecarribee River (Aboriginal Dharawal: Winge Karrabee[1]), a perennial river that is part of the HawkesburyNepean catchment, is located in the Southern Highlands region of New South Wales, Australia.

Wingecarribee
The brown on the left is Wingecarribee Swamp with Fitzroy Falls Reservoir on the right.
EtymologyAboriginal (Dharawal): Winge Karrabee meaning "a flight of birds" and "waters to rest beside"[1]
Native nameWinge Karrabee (Dharawal)[1]
Location
CountryAustralia
StateNew South Wales
RegionSydney Basin (IBRA), Southern Highlands
Local government areasWingecarribee, Wollondilly
TownBerrima
Physical characteristics
SourceWingecarribee Reservoir
 • locationGlenquarry
 • coordinates34°34′35″S 150°32′35″E / 34.576276°S 150.542985°E / -34.576276; 150.542985
 • elevation674 m (2,211 ft)
Mouthconfluence with the Wollondilly River
 • location
Tugalong, northwest of Berrima
 • coordinates
34°22′36″S 150°07′22″E / 34.376703°S 150.122820°E / -34.376703; 150.122820
 • elevation
280 m (920 ft)
Length73 km (45 mi)
Basin features
River systemHawkesbury-Nepean catchment
Tributaries 
 • rightJoadja Creek, Deep Creek (Wingecarribee)
National parkBangadilly National Park
[1][2]

Course and features edit

Wingecarribee River rises on the heights at Robertson below Wingecarribee Reservoir, near the village of Glenquarry, and flows generally northwest, joined by two minor tributaries and through the Belanglo State Forest and Bangadilly National Park, before reaching its confluence with the Wollondilly River north of the locality of Tugalong, northwest of Berrima. The river descends 393 metres (1,289 ft) over its 73-kilometre (45 mi) course.[2]

In its upper reaches, the feeder creeks of the Wingecarribee form the Wingecarribee Swamp, the only substantial peat bog in New South Wales. Most of the swamp has been drained and the remaining section of the swamp is the habitat of a number of endangered species.[citation needed] The river runs through a valley on the plateau that is home to a popular camp, Biloela.[citation needed]

The Moss Vale Road crosses the river at Bong Bong, between Bowral and Moss Vale. At Berrima, the river is crossed by the Hume Freeway.

The Shoalhaven Scheme pumps water from the Shoalhaven River into the Wingecarribee Reservoir and this water supply augments the water supply for greater metropolitan Sydney.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Wingecarribee River". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 3 April 2013.  
  2. ^ a b "Wingecarribee River, NSW". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 3 April 2013.

External links edit

34°23′S 150°07′E / 34.383°S 150.117°E / -34.383; 150.117