Murray River
Cliffs along the Murray River, near Younghusband, South Australia, with a houseboat on the right and an Australian pelican in the foreground
Origin	Australian Alps
Mouth	Goolwa, South Australia
Basin countries	Australia
Length	2,575 km (1,600 mi)
Avg. discharge	0.89 m³/s
Basin area	1,061,469 km²

The Murray River, or River Murray and sometimes informally referred to as the "Mighty Murray", is Australia's second-longest river in its own right (the longest being its tributary the Darling). At 2,575 kilometres (1,600 miles) in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it flows to the northwest, before turning south for its final 500 kilometres or so into South Australia then ends at the mouth at Lake Alexandrina. The Murray River is a major river in Australia. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Murray_river_australia. ... Younghusband is a small settlement on the lower Murray River in South Australia near Mannum. ... A houseboat in Amsterdam Houseboat for Students in Zwolle, Netherlands. ... Binomial name Pelecanus conspicillatus Temminck, 1824 The Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) is an unmistakable large water bird, widespread on the inland and coastal waters of Australia and New Guinea, also in Fiji, parts of Indonesia and as a vagrant to New Zealand. ... River Wey near its source at Farringdon, Hampshire Headstream is the origin of water flow that initiates the subject watercourse. ... Looking across everlastings on Mt Hotham to Mt Feathertop; during winter these mountains are blanketed in snow The Australian Alps The Australian Alps are the highest mountain ranges of mainland Australia. ... Murray Mouth (35°33′ S 138°53′ E) - the point at which Australias River Murray meets the Indian Ocean (Southern Ocean according to Australian maps). ... A drainage basin is the area within the drainage basin divide (blue outline), and drains the surface runoff and river discharge (green lines) of a contiguous area. ... In hydrology, the discharge of a river is the volume of water transported by it in a certain amount of time. ... For other uses, see River (disambiguation). ... The Darling River is the longest river in Australia, flowing 2,739km from northern New South Wales to its confluence with the Murray River at Wentworth, New South Wales. ... “km” redirects here. ... “Miles” redirects here. ... Looking across everlastings on Mt Hotham to Mt Feathertop; during winter these mountains are blanketed in snow The Australian Alps The Australian Alps are the highest mountain ranges of mainland Australia. ... “NSW” redirects here. ... “VIC” redirects here. ... Capital Adelaide Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 11  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $59,819 (5th)  - Product per capita  $38,838/person (7th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  1,558,200 (5th)  - Density  1. ... Lake Alexandrina is a lake in South Australia, Australia. ...

The waters of the Murray flow through several lakes that fluctuate in salinity (and were often fresh until recent decades) including Lake Alexandrina and The Coorong before emptying through the Murray Mouth into the southeastern portion of the Indian Ocean, often referenced on Australian maps as the Southern Ocean, near Goolwa.^[1] Despite discharging considerable volumes of water at times, particularly before the advent of large scale river regulation, the Mouth has always been comparatively small and shallow. Annual mean sea surface salinity for the World Ocean. ... Lake Alexandrina is a lake in South Australia, Australia. ... Coorong is a national park and lagoon ecosystem in South Australia (Australia), 156 km southeast of Adelaide. ... Murray Mouth (35°33′ S 138°53′ E) - the point at which Australias River Murray meets the Indian Ocean (Southern Ocean according to Australian maps). ... Goolwa is a historic river port on the River Murray near the Murray Mouth in South Australia, , and joined by a bridge to Hindmarsh Island. ...

Geography

The Murray River

The Murray River forms part of the 3,750 kilometre (2,300 miles) long combined Murray-Darling river system which drains most of inland Victoria, New South Wales, and southern Queensland. Overall the catchment area is one seventh of Australia's land mass. The Murray carries only a small fraction of the water of comparably-sized rivers in other parts of the world, and with a great annual variability of its flow. In its natural state it has even been known to dry up completely in extreme drought, although that is extremely rare, with only two or three instances of this occurring since official record keeping began. Image File history File links Murray_darling_murrumbidgee_map. ... Image File history File links Murray_darling_murrumbidgee_map. ... Semi-arid grazing country near Burra Creek, South Australia The Murray-Darling Basin being 3430km long, drains one-seventh of the Australian land mass and is currently by far the most significant agricultural area in Australia. ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... Fields outside Benambra, Victoria, Australia suffering from drought conditions A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. ...

The Murray makes up much of the border of the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales. The border is generally agreed upon to be the southern high water mark of the river (ie, none of the river itself is actually in Victoria). This boundary definition can be ambiguous, as the river has changed its course slightly since the boundary was defined in 1851. 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

West of the 141°E line of longitude, the river continues as the Victoria - South Australia border for 3.6 km. This was due to a miscalculation in the 1840s when the border was originally surveyed. Past this point, the Murray River is entirely within the state of South Australia. Longitude is the east-west geographic coordinate measurement most commonly utilized in cartography and global navigation. ... // First use of general anesthesia in an operation, by Crawford Long The first electrical telegraph sent by Samuel Morse on May 24, 1844 from Baltimore to Washington, D.C.. First signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) on February 6, 1840 at Waitangi, Northland New Zealand. ...

River life

Aerial view of Nangiloc, Iraak and Colignan during the 1956 Murray River flood.

The Murray River (and associated tributaries) support a variety of unique river life adapted to its vagaries. This includes a variety of native fish such as the famous Murray cod, trout cod, golden perch, Macquarie perch, silver perch, eel-tailed catfish, Australian smelt and western carp gudgeon, to name a few, and other aquatic species like the Murray short-necked turtle, Murray River crayfish, broad-clawed yabbies and the large clawed Macrobrachium shrimp, as well as aquatic species more widely distributed through south-eastern Australia such as common long-necked turtles, common yabbies, the small claw-less Parataya shrimp, water rats and Platypus. The Murray River also supports fringing corridors and forests of the famous river red gum. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Nangiloc ( ) is a small rural community in North Western Victoria. ... Iraak is a town in Victoria, Australia, located approximately 35km south-east from Mildura, Victoria. ... Colignan is a small rural town located on the banks of the Murray River, in North Western Victoria, Australia. ... Aerial view of Nangiloc, Iraak and Colignan during the 1956 Murray River flood. ... Trinomial name Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell, 1838) The Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) is a large and striking predatory freshwater fish of the Maccullochella genus and the Percichthyidae family. ... Binomial name Maccullochella macquariensis Cuvier, 1829 The Trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis) is a freshwater fish found in the Murray-Darling river system in south eastern Australia. ... Binomial name Macquaria ambigua (Richardson, 1845) The Golden Perch, Macquaria ambigua is an Australian native freshwater fish, primarily of lowland reaches of the Murray-Darling river system, but also known to push some way into upland reaches as well. ... Binomial name Macquaria australasica Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830 The Macquarie Perch, Macquaria australasica, is an Australian native freshwater fish of the Murray-Darling river system. ... Binomial name Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell, 1838) Silver Perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) are a medium sized freshwater fish endemic to the Murray-Darling river system in south-eastern Australia. ... Binomial name Tandanus tandanus (Mitchell, 1838) // Range The Eel-tailed Catfish, Tandanus tandanus, is a freshwater fish native to the Murray-Darling river system of Australia. ... Australian Smelt (Retropinna semoni) A small pelagic forage fish common in lowland areas of the Murray-Darling basin as well as other Australian drainages including East Coast drainages. ... Binomial name Hypseleotris klunzingeri Ogilby, 1898 The Western Carp Gudgeon, Hypseleotris klunzingeri, is a carp gudgeon. ... Binomial name Euastacus armatus Von Martens, 1866 The Murray crayfish, Euastacus armatus, is a species of freshwater crayfish endemic to Australia that belongs to the family Parastacidae. ... Binomial name Cherax destructor Clark, 1936 The Common yabby, Cherax destructor, is a freshwater crayfish. ... For other uses, see Platypus (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. ...

The health of the Murray River has declined significantly since European settlement, particularly due to river regulation, and much of its aquatic life including native fish are now declining, rare or endangered. Recent extreme droughts (2000–2007) have put significant stress on river red gum forests, with mounting concern over their long term survival. The Murray has also flooded on occasion, the most significant of which was the 1956 flood which inundated many towns on the lower Murray and lasted for up to six months. Aerial view of Nangiloc, Iraak and Colignan during the 1956 Murray River flood. ...

Introduced fish species such as carp, Gambusia, weather loach, redfin perch and brown trout and rainbow trout have also had serious negative effects on native fish, while carp have contributed to environmental degradation of the Murray River and tributaries by destroying aquatic plants and permanently raising turbidity. In some segments of the Murray, carp have been the only species found. Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1758) The Common carp or European carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a widespread freshwater fish distantly related to the common goldfish (Carassius auratus), with which it is capable of interbreeding[1]. It gives its name to the carp family Cyprinidae. ... Species (see text) Gambusia Poey, 1854 is a genus of freshwater fish in family Poeciliidae (order Cyprinodontiformes). ... Binomial name Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus, 1758 The European perch (Perca fluviatilis) is a species of perch found in Europe and Asia. ... Binomial name Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758 Morphs Salmo trutta morpha trutta Salmo trutta morpha fario Salmo trutta morpha lacustris The brown trout (Salmo trutta morpha fario and morpha lacustris) and the sea trout ( morpha trutta) are fish of the same species distinguished chiefly by the fact that the brown trout... It has been suggested that Steelhead be merged into this article or section. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1758) The Common carp or European carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a widespread freshwater fish distantly related to the common goldfish (Carassius auratus), with which it is capable of interbreeding[1]. It gives its name to the carp family Cyprinidae. ...

Ancient history

Lake Bungunia

Between 2.5 and 0.5 million years ago the Murray River terminated in a vast freshwater lake called Lake Bungunia. Lake Bungunia was formed by earth movement that blocked the Murray River near Swan Reach during this period of time. At its maximum extent Lake Bungunia covered 33,000 square kilometres, extending to near the Menindee Lakes in the north and to near Boundary Bend on the Murray in south.^[2] The draining of Lake Bungunia approximately 0.5 million years ago must have been a dramatic event. Deep clays deposited by the lake are evident in cliffs around Chowilla in South Australia. Considerably higher rainfall would have been required to keep such a lake full; the draining of Lake Bungunia appears to mark the end of a wet phase in the history of the Murray-Darling Basin and the onset of widespread arid conditions similar to today. A species of Neoceratodus lungfish existed in Lake Bungunia (McKay & Eastburn, 1990); today Neoceratodus lungfish are only found in several Queensland rivers. Swan Reach is a river port located 127 km north east of Adelaide on the Murray River between Blanchetown and Mannum in South Australia. ... Boundary Bend (34°43′S 143°09′E) is a small town in the state of Victoria, Australia. ... Capital Adelaide Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 11  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $59,819 (5th)  - Product per capita  $38,838/person (7th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  1,558,200 (5th)  - Density  1. ... Semi-arid grazing country near Burra Creek, South Australia The Murray-Darling Basin being 3430km long, drains one-seventh of the Australian land mass and is currently by far the most significant agricultural area in Australia. ... Binomial name Neoceratodus forsteri Krefft, 1870 The Queensland Lungfish, also known as Burnett Salmon and Barramunda, is the sole member of the family Ceratodontidae, and one of the only six lungfish species that remain. ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd...

Cadell Fault and formation of the Barmah Red Gum Forests

The famous Barmah Red Gum Forests owe their existence to the Cadell Fault. About 25,000 years BP, displacement occurred along the Cadell fault, raising the eastern edge of the fault (which runs north-south) 8-12 metres above the floodplain. This created a complex series of events. A section of the original Murray River channel immediately behind the fault was abandoned, and exists today as an empty channel known as Green Gully. The Goulburn River was dammed by the southern end of the fault to create a natural lake. The Murray River flowed to the north around the Cadell Fault, creating the channel of the Edward River which exists today and through which much of the Murray River's waters still flow. Then the natural dam on the Goulburn River failed, the lake drained, and the Murray River avulsed to the south and started to flow through the smaller Goulburn River channel, creating "The Barmah Choke" and "The Narrows" (where the river channel is unusually narrow), before entering into the proper Murray River channel again. The Edward River is a river in the south west Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. ...

This complex series of events however divert attention from the primary result of the Cadell Fault. The primary result of the Cadell Fault is that the west-flowing water of the Murray River strikes the north-south running fault and diverts both north and south around the fault in the two main channels (Edward and ancestral Goulburn) as well as a fan of small streams, and regularly floods a large amount of low-lying country in the area. These conditions are perfect for River Red Gums, which rapidly formed forests in the area. Thus the displacement of the Cadell Fault 25,000 BP lead directly to the formation of the famous Barmah River Red Gum Forests

The Barmah Choke and The Narrows mean the amount of water that can travel down this part of the Murray River is restricted. In times of flood and high irrigation flows the majority of the water, in addition to flooding the Red Gum forests, actually travels through the Edward River channel. The Murray River has not had enough flow power to naturally enlarge The Barmah Choke and The Narrows to increase the amount of water they can carry.

The town of Barmah, Victoria is unusual in that it is north of part of New South Wales, although everywhere else Victoria is south of New South Wales. Echuca on the map above is very close to Barmah. Barmah has the distinction of being the only town in Charlotte that is north of New South Wales at 36°01′ S 144°57′ E. The border between the two states is the Murray River, which winds south, then east enough to put a small point of New...

The Cadell Fault is quite noticeable as a continuous, low, earthen embankment as one drives into Barmah from the west, although to the untrained eye it may appear man-made.

Murray Mouth

Main article: Murray Mouth

The Murray Mouth is the point at which the Murray River empties into the ocean.^[1] Since the early 2000s, dredging machines have operated at the Murray Mouth, moving sand from the channel to maintain a minimal flow from the sea and into the Coorong's lagoon system. Without the 24 hour dredging, the Mouth would silt up and close, cutting the supply of fresh sea-water into the Coorong, which would then warm up, stagnate and die. Murray Mouth (35°33′ S 138°53′ E) - the point at which Australias River Murray meets the Indian Ocean (Southern Ocean according to Australian maps). ... The 2000s are the current decade, spanning from 2000 to 2009. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Coorong is a national park and lagoon ecosystem in South Australia (Australia), 156 km southeast of Adelaide. ... Coorong is a national park and lagoon ecosystem in South Australia (Australia), 156 km southeast of Adelaide. ...

Mythology

Being one of the major river systems in one of the driest continents of Earth, the Murray has significant cultural relevance to Indigenous Australians. According to the peoples of Lake Alexandrina, the Murray was created by the tracks of the Great Ancestor, Ngurunderi, as he pursued Pondi, the Murray Cod. The chase originated in the interior of New South Wales. Ngurunderi pursued the fish (who, like many totem animals in Aboriginal myths, is often portrayed as a man) on rafts (or lala) made from red gums and continually launched spears at his target. But Pondi was a wily prey and carved a weaving path, carving out the river's various tributaries. Ngurundi was forced to beach his rafts, and often create new ones as he changed from reach to reach of the river. Languages Several hundred Indigenous Australian languages (many extinct or nearly so), Australian English, Australian Aboriginal English, Torres Strait Creole, Kriol Religions Primarily Christian, with minorities of other religions including various forms of Traditional belief systems based around the Dreamtime Related ethnic groups see List of Indigenous Australian group names Indigenous... Lake Alexandrina is a lake in South Australia, Australia. ... Trinomial name Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell, 1838) The Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) is a large and striking predatory freshwater fish of the Maccullochella genus and the Percichthyidae family. ... This article is about the plant genus. ...

At Kobathatang, Ngurunderi finally got lucky, and struck Pondi in the tail with a spear. However, the shock to the fish was so great it launched him forward in a straight line to a place called Peindjalang, near Tailem Bend. Eager to rectify his failure to catch his prey, the hunter and his two wives (sometimes the escaped sibling wives of Waku and Kanu) hurried on, and took positions high on the cliff on which Tailem Bend now stands. They sprung an ambush on Pondi only to fail again. Ngurunderi set off in pursuit again, but lost his prey as Pondi dived into Lake Alexandrina. Ngurunderi and his women settled on the shore, only to suffer bad luck with fishing, being plagued by a water fiend known as Muldjewangk. They later moved to a more suitable spot at the site of present-day Ashville. The twin summits of Mount Misery are supposed to be the remnants of his rafts, they are known as Lalangengall or the two watercraft. Tailem Bend is a town in South Australia, Australia at coordinates 35°15′ S 139°27′ E. The town was proclaimed in 1887, the year after the main railway came through. ... The Muldjewangk is a water-creature Australian Aboriginal mythology that inhabitated the Murray River, particularly Lake Alexandrina. ...

Remarkably, this story of a hunter pursuing a Murray cod that carved out the Murray persists in numerous forms in various language groups that inhabit the enormous area spanned by the Murray system. The Wotojobaluk people of Victoria tell of Totyerguil from the area now known as Swan Hill who ran out of spears while chasing Otchtout the cod. Trinomial name Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell, 1838) The Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) is a large and striking predatory freshwater fish of the Maccullochella genus and the Percichthyidae family. ... Town Hall Swan Hill ( ) is a city in the north west of Victoria, Australia. ...

Exploration

The first Europeans to explore the river were Hamilton Hume and William Hovell, who crossed the river where Albury now stands in 1824: Hume named it the Hume River after his father. In 1830 Captain Charles Sturt reached the river after travelling down its tributary the Murrumbidgee River and named it the Murray River in honour of the then British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies Sir George Murray, not realising it was the same river that Hume and Hovell had encountered further upstream. Sturt continued down the remaining length of the Murray to finally reach Lake Alexandrina and the river's mouth. The area of the Murray Mouth was explored more thoroughly by Captain Collet Barker in 1831. In 1852 Francis Cadell built a canoe and set off to become the first European to travel the whole length of the river. Hume and Hovells 1824 expedition in shown by the broken line The Hume and Hovell expedition was one of the most important journeys of explorations undertaken in eastern Australia. ... Albury is a city in New South Wales, Australia, located on the Hume Highway on the Northern side of the Murray River. ... 1824 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Hamilton Hume Hamilton Hume (19 June 1797-19 April 1873) was an Australian explorer. ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 (MDCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Charles Sturt c. ... The Murrumbidgee River is a major river in the state of New South Wales, Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory. ... The Secretary of State for War and the Colonies was a British cabinet level position responsible for the army and the British colonies (other than India). ... The Right Hon. ... Lake Alexandrina is a lake in South Australia, Australia. ... Murray Mouth (35°33′ S 138°53′ E) - the point at which Australias River Murray meets the Indian Ocean (Southern Ocean according to Australian maps). ... Collet Barker (1784-30 April 1831), military officer and explorer, explored areas of South Australia. ... Leopold I 1831 (MDCCCXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Francis Cadell c. ...

In 1858 the Government Zoologist, William Blandowski, along with Gerard Krefft, explored the lower reaches of the Murray and Darling rivers, compiling a list of birds and mammals. During the expedition they accumulated 17,400 specimens and classified a number of newly discovered species. Year 1858 (MDCCCLVIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Zoology (Greek zoon = animal and logos = word) is the biological discipline which involves the study of animals. ... William Blandowski (21 January 1822-18 December 1878), a zoologist, was born in Gliwice, Upper Silesia, Poland, but then part of Prussia. ... Gerard Krefft. ... For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation). ... Subclasses & Infraclasses Subclass †Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass †Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria Mammals (class Mammalia) are warm-blooded, vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of sweat glands, including those that produce milk, and by the presence of: hair, three middle ear bones used in hearing, and a neocortex...

River transport

The PS Murray Princess is the largest paddlewheeler operating on the Murray river

The P.S. Melbourne passing through Lock 11 at Mildura

. Download high resolution version (2032x1354, 1027 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (2032x1354, 1027 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2304 × 1728 pixel, file size: 827 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The P.S. Melbourne, passing through Lock 11, Mildura, Victoria, Australia. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2304 × 1728 pixel, file size: 827 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The P.S. Melbourne, passing through Lock 11, Mildura, Victoria, Australia. ...

The lack of an estuary means that shipping cannot enter the Murray from the sea. However in the 19th century the river used to support a substantial commercial trade using shallow-draft steamboats, the first trips being made by two boats from South Australia on the spring flood of 1853. One vessel, Lady Augusta reached Swan Hill while another, Mary Ann made it as far as Moama (near Echuca). In 1855 a steamer carrying gold-mining supplies reached Albury but Echuca was the usual turn-around point though small boats continued to link with up-river ports such as Tocumwal, Wahgunya and Albury. For other meanings, see Estuary (disambiguation) Rio de la Plata estuary An estuary is a semi-enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Steamboat (disambiguation). ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Town Hall Swan Hill ( ) is a city in the north west of Victoria, Australia. ... Moama is a small village in southern New South Wales, Australia. ... Location of Echuca in Victoria (red) Historic Port of Echuca Echuca in Victoria (Australia) is a town of about 10,000 people situated on the Murray River (Moama is on the northern side in NSW). ... Year 1855 (MDCCCLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Tocumwal Hotel, one of four hotels in Tocumwal. ... Wahgunyah is a small town in northeastern Victoria, Australia. ...

The arrival of steamboat transport was welcomed by pastoralists who had been suffering from a shortage of transport due to the demands of the gold fields. By 1860 a dozen steamers were operating in the high water season along the Murray and its tributaries. Once the railway reached Echuca in 1864, the bulk of the woolclip from the Riverina was transported via river to Echuca and then south to Melbourne. The Murray was plagued by "snags", fallen trees submerged in the water, and considerable efforts were made to clear the river of these threats to shipping by using barges equipped with steam-driven winches. In recent times, efforts have been made to restore many of these "snags" by placing dead gum trees back into the river. The primary purpose of this is to provide habitat for fish species whose breeding grounds and shelter were eradicated by the removal of "snags".^{[citation needed]} 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Long and short hair wool at the South Central Family Farm Research Center in Boonesville, Arizona Wool is the fiber derived from the fur of animals and people of the Caprinae family, principally sheep, but the hair of certain species of other mammals such as goats and rabbits and oxes... The Riverina is a prosperous agricultural region of south-western New South Wales (NSW), Australia. ... Self propelled barge carrying bulk crushed stone A barge is a flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods. ... Modern self-tailing winch on a sailing boat. ...

Drawing of a paddle steamer travelling the Murray at night, c.1880

The volume and value of river trade made Echuca Victoria's second port and in the decade from 1874 it underwent considerable expansion. By this time up to thirty steamers and a similar number of barges were working the river in season. River transport began to decline once the railways touched the Murray at numerous points. The unreliable levels made it impossible for boats to compete with the rail and later road transport. However, the river still carries pleasure boats along its entire length. Download high resolution version (890x674, 135 KB) drawing by Paul Harny (?) published in Cassells Picturesque Australasia, 1887. ... Download high resolution version (890x674, 135 KB) drawing by Paul Harny (?) published in Cassells Picturesque Australasia, 1887. ... A paddle steamer, paddleboat, or paddlewheeler is a ship or boat propelled by one or more paddle wheels driven by a steam engine. ... Year 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1874 (MDCCCLXXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Disruptions in organized traffic flow can create delays lasting hours. ...

Today, most traffic on the river is recreational. Small private boats are used for water skiing and fishing. Houseboats are common, both commercial for hire and privately owned. There are a number of both historic paddle steamers and newer boats offering cruises ranging from a half-hour to 5 days. // Water skiing began in 1922 when Ralph Samuelson strapped two boards to his feet and rigged a clothesline up to his boat on Lake Pepin in Lake City, Minnesota. ... A houseboat in Amsterdam A houseboat is a boat which has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a human dwelling. ... A paddle steamer, paddleboat, or paddlewheeler is a ship driven by one or more paddle wheels driven by a steam engine. ...

River crossings

Main article: Murray River crossings

The Murray River has been a significant barrier to land-based travel and trade. Many of the ports for transport of goods along the Murray have also developed as places to cross the river, either by bridge or ferry. The Murray River has been a significant barrier to land-based travel and trade. ...

Water storage and irrigation

A branch of the Murray in its middle reaches, near Howlong, New South Wales

Small-scale pumping plants began drawing water from the Murray in the 1850s and the first large-volume plant was constructed at Mildura in 1887. The introduction of pumping stations along the river promoted an expansion of farming and led ultimately to the development of irrigation areas (including the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area). In 1915 the three Murray states — New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia — signed the River Murray Agreement which proposed the construction of storage reservoirs in the river's headwaters as well as at Lake Victoria near the South Australian border. Along the intervening stretch of the river a series of locks and weirs were built. These were originally proposed to support navigation even in times of low water, but river-borne transport was already declining due to improved road and rail systems. Near Howlong, NSW-Vic border, February 2004 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Near Howlong, NSW-Vic border, February 2004 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Entering Howlong Howlong is a medium sized border town west of Albury, and is situated on the Murray River which separates the states of New South Wales and Victoria. ... // Production of steel revolutionized by invention of the Bessemer process Benjamin Silliman fractionates petroleum by distillation for the first time First transatlantic telegraph cable laid First safety elevator installed by Elisha Otis Railroads begin to supplant canals in the United States as a primary means of transporting goods. ... 1887 (MDCCCLXXXVII) is a common year starting on Saturday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. ... Farming, ploughing rice paddy, in Indonesia Agriculture is the process of producing food, feed, fiber and other desired products by cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock). ... Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil usually for assisting in growing crops. ... Geographically located within the Riverina area of New South Wales the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) was created to control and divert the flow of local river and creek systems for the purpose of food production. ... Year 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Lake Victoria is in the extreme south-west corner of New South Wales, next to the Murray River. ... Canal locks in England. ... The bridge and weir mechanism at Sturminster Newton on the River Stour, Dorset. ...

In 2006 the state government of South Australia revealed their plan to investigate the construction of the controversial Wellington Weir. Capital Adelaide Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 11  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $59,819 (5th)  - Product per capita  $38,838/person (7th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  1,558,200 (5th)  - Density  1. ... A rally by Stop The Weir protesters on the steps of Parliament House, Adelaide. ...

Water Analysis and Health Check

Water Analyses by Simmonds & Bristow ^[3] in five sections of the Murray River found:

Site 1: Junction of Murray and Darling Rivers: sample collected 29/8/07
The physical, chemical and microbiological quality of river water at this point is generally good, with no sign of salinity or conductivity (salts in the water). Nitrogen and Phosphorus levels are slightly elevated, but not alarmingly so; this may be due to fertilizer runoff from local industries. Excessive nutrient (Nitrogen and Phosphorus in their various forms) levels can lead to nuisance growth of aquatic plants, and therefore reduced dissolved oxygen in the river, which adversely affect the ecosystem of the river. Pesticides were not detected here, and algal results indicated there are no harmful algae blooms in this area. The faecal coliforms result detected in the river sample is well below the recommended maximum value for drinking water for livestock.

Site 2: 30km Downstream of Lock 10: sample collected 29/8/07
As seen at Site 1, the physical and chemical quality of river water at this point is generally good, with no sign of salinity. Nutrient levels were all within recommended ranges, and no pesticides were detected. The high blue-green algae result at this site indicates the likelihood of an algal bloom, which might lead to toxicity to livestock if cyanobacteria (toxic species of algae) are in high numbers. Cyanobacteria can release harmful toxins if not kept under control.

Site 3: 15km Downstream of Lock 7: sample collected 30/8/07
The physical quality of the river water here is again good, with a normal pH level; however the salinity is slightly elevated compared with sites 1 and 2. The salinity is still well within the recommended level for lowland rivers. Oxidised Nitrogen (Nitrate & Nitrite) as well as Ammonia are slightly elevated, which may be due to fertilizer runoff. Again, no pesticides were detected, and the microbiological quality was good, with normal levels of algae and very low Faecal Coliforms.

Site 4: 2km Downstream of Lock 6: sample collected 31/8/07
The salinity at this site was further elevated, slightly, compared with the previous sample location, but was still well within the recommended guidelines. Nutrient levels were generally low at this site, with a slightly elevated result for Ammonia. Again, no pesticides were detected, and the microbiological quality was good, with normal levels of algae and very low Faecal Coliforms.

Site 5: Kingston on Murray: sample collected 6/9/07
A further increase in salinity and pH were measured at this site, as we proceed down the Murray River. This will be a crucial trend to watch as we proceed further downstream. However the physical quality including pH and salinity was still acceptable, with the results lying within the recommended guidelines. However, a sudden jump in Total Phosphorus and Orthophosphate was observed at this site, with the result for Phosphorus showing as five times higher than the recommended value. The high nutrients in the river at this location indicate possible contamination from local industries, including fertilizers and cattle manure. No pesticides were detected, and the microbiological quality was good.

Site 6: Wakarie SA: sample collected 12/9/07
The physical, chemical, and microbiological quality of river water at this point is generally good; however, the salinity at this site was further elevated. Nitrate & Nitrite and Ammonia levels are slightly elevated but the overall nutrient levels were well below the trigger values specified in the Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters (ANZECC 1992) for lowland rivers. No pesticides were detected, and the microbiological quality was good, with low levels of algae and Faecal Coliforms.

Site 7: Morgan: sample collected 13/9/07
The physical quality of the river water here is fairly good, with pH level approaching the maximum trigger value and continuous elevated salinity. Nitrate & Nitrite and Ammonia levels are again slightly elevated but the overall nutrient levels is good, with results well below the trigger values specified in the Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters (ANZECC 1992) for lowland rivers. Again, no pesticides were detected, and the microbiological quality was good, with slightly elevated algae level and low level of Faecal Coliforms.

Site 8: Mannum: sample collected 17/9/07
The physical, chemical and microbiological quality of river water at this point is generally good, with reduced salinity level at this site compared to sites 6 and 7. The overall nutrient levels generally meet the Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters (ANZECC 1992) for lowland rivers, with the exception of Oxidised Nitrogen, which was slightly high. The faecal Coliforms result detected in the river sample is well below the recommended maximum value for drinking water for livestock. The algal results indicated that there are no harmful algae blooms in this area.

Site 9: Brinkley Station: sample collected 20/9/07
The river quality is fairly poor with pH level exceeding the maximum trigger value and continuous elevated salinity. The nutrient levels exceed the recommended ranges with obvious elevation in Nitrogen concentration. No pesticides were detected at this site. The high blue-green algae result at this site indicates the likelihood of an algal bloom. The faecal Coliforms result detected in the river sample is well below the recommended maximum value for drinking water for livestock.

Site 10: Goolwa Freshwater: sample collected 22/9/07
The river quality is poor with high pH level and salinity (5 times the maximum limit), exceeding the maximum limits for lowland rivers. This may be due to the location of the river (closer to the sea), which has a mixture of freshwater and saltwater. The nutrient levels far exceed the recommended ranges with significant elevation in Nitrogen and Phosphorus concentrations. Again, no pesticides were detected at this site. The high blue-green algae result is again high at this site, which indicates the likelihood of an algal bloom. The microbiological quality was poor, with the likelihood of an algal bloom; however, the Faecal Coliforms count was low.

Site 11: Goolwa D/S Barage: sample collected 22/9/07
The river sample has recorded the highest salinity up to date, exceeding 24 times the maximum limit specified in the Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters (ANZECC 1992) for lowland rivers. However, this may be due to the proximity of the ocean; this area may have a mixture of freshwater and saltwater. The nutrient level has recovered with slightly higher Nitrogen concentration compared to the maximum limit. No pesticides were detected, and the microbiological quality was good, with low levels of algae and Faecal Coliforms count.

Locks

Lock 11, Mildura.

Lock 1 was completed near Blanchetown in 1922. Torrumbarry Weir downstream of Echuca began operating in December 1923. Of the numerous locks that were proposed, only thirteen were completed; Locks 1 to 11 on the stretch downstream of Mildura, Lock 15 at Euston and Lock 26 at Torrumbarry. Construction of the remaining weirs purely for navigation purposes was abandoned in 1934. The last lock to be completed was Lock 15, in 1937. Lock 11, just downstream of Mildura, creates a 100 kilometre long lock pool which aided irrigation pumping from Mildura and Red Cliffs. Each lock has a navigable passage next to it through the weir, which is opened during periods of high river flow, when there is too much water for the lock. The weirs can be completely removed, and the locks completely covered by water during flood conditions. Lock 11 is unique in that the lock was built inside a bend of the river, with the weir in the bend itself. A Channel was dug to the lock, creating an island between it and the weir. The weir is also of a different design, being dragged out of the river during high flow, rather than lifted out. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2304 × 1728 pixel, file size: 823 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Lock 11, Mildura, Victoria, Australia. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2304 × 1728 pixel, file size: 823 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Lock 11, Mildura, Victoria, Australia. ... Blanchetown (34°21′S 139°36′E, postcode 5357) is a town in South Australia, on the right (West) bank of the Murray River 130 km northeast of Adelaide. ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Location of Echuca in Victoria (red) Historic Port of Echuca Echuca in Victoria (Australia) is a town of about 10,000 people situated on the Murray River (Moama is on the northern side in NSW). ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Mildura is a locality in northwestern Victoria, Australia. ... Euston is a small town on the banks of the Murray River, southern New South Wales, Australia. ... Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... “km” redirects here. ... Red Cliffs is a town in Victoria, Australia. ...

Four large reservoirs were built along the Murray; in addition to Lake Victoria (completed late 1920s) is Lake Hume near Albury-Wodonga (completed 1936), Lake Mulwala at Yarrawonga (completed 1939) and Lake Dartmouth, which is actually on the Mitta Mitta River upstream of Lake Hume (completed 1979). The Murray also receives water from the complex dam and pipeline system of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The 1920s is a decade that is sometimes referred to as the Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties, usually applied to America. ... Part of Lake Hume near Tallangatta Lake Hume is a large artificial lake on the Murray River formed by the Hume Dam. ... Albury-Wodonga is the broad settlement incorporating the twin Australian cities of Albury and Wodonga, which are separated geographically by the Murray River and politically by a state border: Albury on the north of the river is part of New South Wales while Wodonga on the south bank is in... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Lake Mulwala (36°00′ S 146°05′ E) was created in 1939 by building a dam across the Murray River between Yarrawonga in Victoria and Mulwala in New South Wales to provide irrigation water for the surrounding district. ... Foreshore of Lake Mulwala at Yarrawonga. ... Year 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Dartmouth Dam is a large dam on the Mitta Mitta River in north-eastern Victoria, creating the artificial Lake Dartmouth (36°34′ S 147°33′ E) storing water from the Victorian High Country for summer release into the Mitta Mitta (and the downstream Lake Hume) and subsequently into... The Mitta Mitta River is a major tributary of the Murray River in Australia and the source of approximately 40% of the Murrays flow. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Talbingo Dam The Snowy Mountains Scheme is a massive water diversion, storage and hydro-electric scheme, which takes water from the eastern slopes of the Australian Alps (part of the Great Dividing Range) in eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales through pipes, tunnels and aqueducts into a series of...

Dead and dying River Red Gums on the lower Murray near Berri, South Australia.

These dams inverted the patterns of the river's natural flow from the original winter-spring flood and summer-autumn dry to the present low level through winter and higher during summer. These changes ensured the availability of water for irrigation and made the Murray Valley Australia's most productive agricultural region, but have seriously disrupted the life cycles of many ecosystems both inside and outside the river, and the irrigation has led to dryland salinity that now threatens the agricultural industries. Near Berri, SA, August 2003 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Near Berri, SA, August 2003 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... This article is about the plant genus. ... Berri (34°17′ S 140°36′ E) is a town in the Riverland region of South Australia. ... Soil Salinity is a major environmental issue in Australia, chiefly affecting agricultural lands in many areas of W.A. (Western Australia) Much of central Australia was at one time a shallow inland sea. ...

The disruption of the river's natural flow, run-off from agriculture, and the introduction of pest species like the European Carp has led to serious environmental damage along the river's length and to concerns that the river will be unusably salty in the medium to long term — a serious problem given that the Murray supplies 40% of Adelaide's domestic water. Efforts to alleviate the problems proceed but disagreement between interested groups stalls progress. Binomial name Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) The Common Carp or European Carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a widespread freshwater fish distantly related to the common goldfish. ... For other uses, see Adelaide (disambiguation). ...

See also

Albury-Wodonga is the broad settlement incorporating the twin Australian cities of Albury and Wodonga, which are separated geographically by the Murray River and politically by a state border: Albury on the north of the river is part of New South Wales while Wodonga on the south bank is in... Location of Echuca in Victoria (red) Historic Port of Echuca Echuca in Victoria (Australia) is a town of about 10,000 people situated on the Murray River (Moama is on the northern side in NSW). ... Town Hall Swan Hill ( ) is a city in the north west of Victoria, Australia. ... Mildura is a locality in northwestern Victoria, Australia. ... Renmark is a town in South Australias rural Riverland area. ... The Murray Bridge that crosses the Murray River Driving across the bridge Murray Bridge () is a city in South Australia about 80 kilometres (50 miles) southeast of Adelaide and 1 hour drive north of Meningie. ... Goolwa is a historic river port on the River Murray near the Murray Mouth in South Australia, , and joined by a bridge to Hindmarsh Island. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Murray River

• Murray-Darling Basin Commission: The River Murray and Lower Darling
• River pilot maps 1880-1918 / Echuca Historical Society
• Down the River Murray An ABC 5 part series on the river and its people
• SouthAustralia.com Murraylands - Travel Guides, Accommodation, Tours, Online Booking, Maps etc

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC is Australias national non-profit public broadcaster. ...

Notes and references

1. ^ ^{a b} The Murray Mouth. Murray-Darling Basin Commission. Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
2. ^ How The River Murray Was Formed. River Murray Urban Users Committee. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
3. ^ Simmonds & Bristow Chemical Laboratory. Simmonds & Bristow. Retrieved on 2007-09-09.

• Isaacs J (1980) Australian Dreaming: 40,000 Years of Aboriginal History, Lansdowne Press, Sydney, New South Wales, ISBN 0-7018-1330-X
• (1990) in Norman Mackay and David Eastburn (editors): The Murray. Canberra, Australia: Murray-Darling Basin Commission. ISBN 1-875209-05-0. 

The Murray-Darling Basin Commission is the executive arm of the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council and is in charge of managing the Murray River and the Menindee Lakes system of Darling River, and advising the council on any matters that relate to the use of the water, land, and... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...