Macintyre River
The Macintyre River, a perennial river that forms part of the Border Rivers group, is part of the Barwon catchment of the Murray-Darling basin, located in the Northern Tablelands and North West Slopes regions of New South Wales, and the Southern Downs region of Queensland, Australia.
Macintyre Karaula River[1] | |
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Etymology | In honour of Peter Mcintyre, a pastoralist[1][2] |
Location | |
Country | Australia |
State | New South Wales, Queensland |
Region | Northern Tablelands, Darling Downs, North West Slopes |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | Great Dividing Range |
• location | near Glencoe, New South Wales |
• elevation | 1,260 m (4,130 ft) |
Mouth | confluence with the Weir River to form the Barwon River |
• location | west of Goondiwindi, Queensland |
• coordinates | 28°37′17″S 149°53′59″E |
• elevation | 224 m (735 ft) |
Length | 319 km (198 mi) |
Basin size | 49,470 km2 (19,100 sq mi) |
Basin features | |
River system | Barwon River catchment, Murray–Darling basin |
Tributaries | |
• right | Severn River (NSW), Dumaresq River |
Reservoir | Boggabilla Weir |
[3][4] |
Part of the course of the river marks the boundary between Queensland and New South Wales.
Course and features
The Macintyre River rises on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range, west of Guyra and south of Glen Innes, and flows generally northwest and west, joined by twenty-two tributaries, including the Severn River (New South Wales) and Dumaresq River, before reaching its confluence with the Weir River to form the Barwon River, west of Goondiwindi. In 1914, the current Goondiwindi Border Bridge was opened. It replaced a timber structure which was built in 1878.[5] The Macintyre River descends 1,040 metres (3,410 ft) over its 319-kilometre (198 mi) course;[3] passing near the towns of Glen Innes, Inverell, Ashford, Yetman, and Boggabilla. The flow of the river is impounded by Boggabilla Weir.
The Macintyre River, together with Pike Creek, the Mole, Beardy, Severn (Queensland), Severn (New South Wales), and Dumaresq rivers are all part of the Border Rivers group. Originally named the Dumaresq River by Allan Cunningham. The name Macintyre was given by Cunningham to what is now known as the Dumaresq River. Peter Macintyre was the overseer at Segenhoe Station.
Flooding
The Macintyre River is often affected by floods and the town of Goondiwindi is protected by levee banks that can cope with a water level rise of nearly 11 metres (36 ft). During the 2010–2011 Queensland floods the river peaked at 10.64 metres (34.9 ft).[6][7]
Previous peaks have occurred during 1996, at 10.6 metres (35 ft) and during 1976.[8]
References
- "Macintyre River". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- "Macintyre River (entry 20424 )". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- "Map of Macintyre River (1)". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- "Map of Macintyre River (2)". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- "Goondiwindi". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
- "Goondiwindi on edge as river nears peak". Australia: ABC News. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- "Flood threat eases at Goondiwindi". ABC Southern Queensland. Australia. 16 January 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- "Flood warning for the Weir and Macintyre Rivers". Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane. Goondiwindi Regional Council. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
External links
Media related to Macintyre River at Wikimedia Commons
- "Border Rivers catchment" (map). Office of Environment and Heritage. Government of New South Wales.
- Border Rivers Daily Report - website
- Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority - website