| Margaret River | |
|---|---|
Margaret River in flood at the entrance to the King Leopold Ranges |
|
| Origin | King Leopold Range |
| Mouth | Fitzroy River |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Length | 335 kilometres (208 mi)[1] |
| Source elevation | 498 metres (1,634 ft)[2] |
| Mouth elevation | 110 metres (361 ft) |
The Margaret River is a river in the Kimberley of Western Australia.
The headwaters of the river rise in the King Leopold Range West of Halls Creek and flows in a westerly until it merges with the Fitzroy River of which it is a tributary. The junction of the two rivers is close to the Fitzroy Crossing.
The river was named in 1879 by the explorer Alexander Forrest during an expedition in the Kimberley area. The river is named after Margaret Elvire Forrest, the wife of his brother and Western Australian Premier, John Forrest.
Margaret River has 15 tributaries including; Mary River, Gliddon River, O'Donnell River, Leopold River, Louisa River, Station Creek, Dead Horse Creek, Gidgia Creek and Boab Creek.
The state Public Works Department set up flow monitoring station on the Margaret River at the entrance of the gorge where it enters the Mueller Ranges in 1966. Debate continues about the use of the Fitzroy River basin as a water source for the South West of Western Australia.
Fish such as the Barramundi, Freshwater Sawfish, Greenway's grunter and the False-spine Catfish have all been found within the river system.[3]