Mitta Mitta River

Mitta Mitta River, a perennial river and a direct tributary of the Murray River within the Murray–Darling basin, is located in the Alpine district of Victoria, Australia.

This article is about the river in Victoria (Australia). For the town in Victoria, see Mitta Mitta, Victoria. For the locality in New South Wales, see Mitta Mitta, New South Wales.

Mitta Mitta
Mitta Mitta River, downstream from Dartmouth Dam, 2007
Mitta Mitta River is located in Victoria
Mitta Mitta River
Location of the Mitta Mitta River mouth
at Lake Hume in Victoria
EtymologyAboriginal: from reeds called modunga[1]
Native nameMida-modoenga
Location
CountryAustralia
StateVictoria
RegionAustralian Alps (IBRA), Victorian Alps
Local government areaTowong
Physical characteristics
Source confluenceCobungra River and Big River
 • locationnear Anglers Rest
 • coordinates36°59′22″S 147°30′41″E
 • elevation694 m (2,277 ft)
Mouthconfluence with the Murray River
 • location
Mitta Junction, Lake Hume
 • coordinates
36°07′1″S 147°2′30″E
 • elevation
180 m (590 ft)
Length204 km (127 mi)
Basin size10,062 km2 (3,885 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average76 m3/s (2,700 cu ft/s)
Basin features
River systemNorth-East Murray catchment,
Murray–Darling basin
Tributaries 
 • rightDart River (Victoria)
Reservoirs
  • Dartmouth (465 m (1,526 ft))
  • Banimboola (309 m (1,014 ft))
  • Hume (180 m (591 ft))
[2]

The name Mitta Mitta derives from the Aboriginal word mida-modoenga, meaning reeds called modunga.[1]

Course

The river rises below Mount Bogong, the highest mountain in the Victorian Alps, with the Mitta Mitta River forming at the confluence of the Cobungra River and the Big River, just south of Anglers Rest, flowing generally north, joined by twenty-four minor tributaries including the Dart River, before reaching its mouth with the Murray River, east of Albury at Lake Hume. The river descends 514 metres (1,686 ft) over its course of 204 kilometres (127 mi).

The Mitta Mitta River is the source of approximately 10% of the Murray's flow.[3] Along the Mitta Mitta River, mean annual flow can triple from Hinnomunjie in the south to Tallangatta in the north. Highest flows are in October and are attributable to the spring snow melt.[4] The flow of the Mitta Mitta River is heavily modified and impounded by Dartmouth Dam and Hume Dam, both major water reservoirs. Upstream of Dartmouth Dam, the river flows swiftly through near-pristine forest. Below the dam, it travels more sedately through flatter, cleared farming country. The original junction of the Mitta Mitta River with the Murray River is now submerged beneath the waters of Lake Hume for a large part of the time.

The catchment area of the Mitta Mitta River is estimated as 10,062 square kilometres (3,885 sq mi).[4]

The river valley used to flood on a nearly annual basis, but the completion of Dartmouth Dam in the 1970s largely eliminated the floods.

The river flows through a magnificent valley that contains four small towns: Mitta Mitta, Eskdale, Dartmouth. Mitta Mitta is a small hamlet at the confluence of the River and Snowy Creek.

Recreation

For the fisherman, the Mitta Mitta River is a good source for trout, particularly brown trout and the occasional rainbow trout.

The Mitta Mitta River upstream of Hinnomunjie Bridge is a favourite for white water enthusiasts, with one licensed company operating commercial facilities. The river is also frequented by recreational kayakers as a single or multi day trip with a grade between II and IV.

See also

References
  1. "Mitta Mitta River". VicNames. Government of Victoria. 2 May 1966. Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  2. "Map of Mitta Mitta River, Vic". Bonzle.com. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  3. "Mitta Mitta". 24 November 2015.
  4. "Upper Murray Basin". Water resources. Goulburn-Murray Water. 22 December 2010. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.

Media related to Mitta Mitta River at Wikimedia Commons

Mitta Mitta River
  • Mitta Mitta in gorge below Dartmouth dam
    Mitta Mitta in gorge below Dartmouth dam
  • Fly fishing the Mitta Mitta
    Fly fishing the Mitta Mitta
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