Morwell River

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Morwell
Morwell River 1913.jpg
CRB party crossing Morwell River
Australia Victoria relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Mouth of the Morwell River in Victoria
Location
Country Australia
State Victoria
Region South East Coastal Plain (IBRA), West Gippsland, South Gippsland
Local government area Latrobe City
Towns Boolarra, Yinnar, Morwell
Physical characteristics
Source Strzelecki Ranges
Source confluenceWest Branch and East Branch of the Morwell River
  location Boolarra South
  coordinates 38°26′28″S146°18′45″E / 38.44111°S 146.31250°E / -38.44111; 146.31250
  elevation172 m (564 ft)
Mouth confluence with the Latrobe River
  location
south of Yallourn North
  coordinates
38°10′25″S146°21′50″E / 38.17361°S 146.36389°E / -38.17361; 146.36389 Coordinates: 38°10′25″S146°21′50″E / 38.17361°S 146.36389°E / -38.17361; 146.36389
  elevation
16 m (52 ft)
Length41 km (25 mi)
Basin features
River system West Gippsland catchment
Tributaries 
  leftO'Grady Creek
  rightMiddle Creek (Victoria)
[1] [2]

The Morwell River is a perennial river of the West Gippsland catchment, located in the West Gippsland and South Gippsland regions of the Australian state of Victoria.

Contents

Location and features

Formed by the confluence of the West Branch and East Branch of the river, the Morwell River rises in the Strzelecki Ranges, below Boolarra South. The river flows generally in a northerly direction, joined by two minor tributaries before reaching its mouth to form confluence with the Latrobe River, south of Yallourn North. The river descends 156 metres (512 ft) over its 41-kilometre (25 mi) course. [2] The lower reaches of the river has been diverted around open-cut coal mines by channels and pipelines until it enters the Latrobe River.

On 6 June 2012, a levee bank failure resulted in the flooding of the Yallourn coal mine causing damage to its infrastructure and cutting fuel supply to the adjacent power station. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. "Morwell River: 21620". Vicnames. Government of Victoria. 2 May 1966. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Map of Morwell River, VIC". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  3. "Power generation cut as water flows into mine". ABC News . Australia. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.