South Para River

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South Para
South Para R from Gawler Bridge 1.jpg
The South Para River, viewed from Gawler Bridge
Australia South Australia relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
Location of the river mouth in South Australia
Location
Country Australia
State South Australia
Region Mount Lofty Ranges
Towns Gawler
Physical characteristics
Source Mount Lofty Ranges
  locationnear Mount Crawford
  elevation459 m (1,506 ft)
Mouth confluence with the North Para River to form the Gawler River
  location
at Gawler
  coordinates
34°36′S138°45′E / 34.600°S 138.750°E / -34.600; 138.750 Coordinates: 34°36′S138°45′E / 34.600°S 138.750°E / -34.600; 138.750
  elevation
48 m (157 ft)
Length48 km (30 mi)
Basin features
River system Gawler River
Tributaries 
  leftWatts Gully Creek
  rightMalcolm Creek
Reservoirs Warren Reservoir; South Para Reservoir
[1]

The South Para River is a river located in the Mount Lofty Ranges northeast of Adelaide in the Australian state of South Australia.

Contents

The river's name is based directly on the Kaurna word pari which means river. [2] The "south" descriptor distinguishes it from the North Para River with which it merges.

Course and features

The South Para River rises in the Mount Lofty Ranges near Mount Crawford and Kersbrook and flows northwest through the Mount Lofty Ranges, passing through the Warren Reservoir and the South Para Reservoir, before reaching its confluence with the North Para River in Gawler to form the Gawler River. The South Para River descends 411 metres (1,348 ft) over its 47.5-kilometre (29.5 mi) course. [1]

The South Para River catchment is one of the key watersheds in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges. It plays an important role in the functioning of South Australia, providing much of the water used by Adelaide's domestic supply in the Northern Adelaide area. The rainfall in the South Para River catchment varies from 775 millimetres (30.5 in) per annum in the north-east of the catchment to 675 millimetres (26.6 in) per annum near Williamstown. Its waters are also used for livestock production, cereal cropping and recreation.

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Map of South Para River, SA". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  2. Manning, George (1990), "Place Names of South Australia: Para", Manning Index of South Australian History, State Library of South Australia, retrieved 31 May 2017