King River (Victoria)

The King River, a perennial river[2] of the North-East Murray catchment of the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the Alpine and Hume regions of Victoria, Australia. It flows from the northwestern slopes of the Alpine National Park in the Australian Alps, through the King Valley, and joining with the Ovens River at the rural city of Wangaratta.[3]

This article is about the river in Victoria. For other uses, see King River.

King
The King River, above the King Valley, in 2008
King River (Victoria) is located in Victoria
King River (Victoria)
Location of the King River mouth in Victoria
EtymologyPhilip Gidley King, 3rd Governor of NSW[1]
Native namePoodumbeyer (Pallanganmiddang)[1]
Location
CountryAustralia
StateVictoria
RegionVictorian Alps (IBRA), Victorian Alps, Hume
Local government areasMansfield Shire, Wangaratta
TownMoyhu, Wangaratta
Physical characteristics
SourceAlpine National Park, Victorian Alps
 • locationbelow Mount Buggery
 • coordinates37°9′1″S 146°36′56″E
 • elevation1,030 m (3,380 ft)
Mouthconfluence with the Ovens River
 • location
Wangaratta
 • coordinates
36°21′16″S 146°19′50″E
 • elevation
142 m (466 ft)
Length126 km (78 mi)
Basin features
River systemNorth-East Murray catchment,
Murray-Darling basin
Tributaries 
 • leftFork Creek, Tomahawk Creek, Evans Creek (King River, Victoria), Boggy Creek
 • rightStony Creek (King River, Victoria), Black Range Creek, Meadow Creek (Victoria), Hurdle Creek
National parkAlpine National Park, Mount Buffalo National Park
[2][3]

Location and features

The King River rises below Mount Buggery, within Mansfield Shire, at an elevation exceeding 1,460 metres (4,790 ft) above sea level. The river flows generally north by northwest, most of its course through remote parts of the Alpine and Mount Buffalo national parks, and then descending into the King Valley, joined by eight minor tributaries, before reaching its confluence with the Ovens River at Wangaratta. The river descends 1,320 metres (4,330 ft) over its 126-kilometre (78 mi) course.[3]

The river is impounded by the William Hovell Dam to form Lake William Hovell, that provides water for approximately 24 square kilometres (9.3 sq mi) for irrigated crops, vineyards and grazing properties along the King River from Cheshunt to Wangaratta.[4][5] A small 1.6-megawatt (2,100 hp) hydro-electric generator is driven by the river's outflow from the dam, with an average annual output of 3.7 gigawatt-hours (13 TJ).[5][6]

Etymology

The river was given its English name by Hamilton Hume and William Hovell, explorers of the region, in honour of Captain Philip Gidley King, the third Governor of New South Wales, in office from 1800 to 1806.[1]

In the Aboriginal Waywurru language, the river is named Poodumbeyer, with no defined meaning.[1]

Recreation

Kayaking enthusiasts access the river for the many level 2 and level 3 rapids. In 2008 the site for the Victorian and Australian Downriver Championships.

See also

References
  1. "King River: Historical Information". Vicnames. 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  2. "King River: 18811". Vicnames. Archived from the original on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  3. "Map of King River, VIC". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  4. "Lake William Hovell". Goulburn-Murray Water. Archived from the original on 26 September 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  5. "Register of Large Dams in Australia" (Excel (requires download)). Dams information. Australian National Committee on Large Dams. 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  6. "Victorian hydro plants". Projects: Operations. Pacific Hydro. 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2014.

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