Balonne River
| Balonne River | |
 Balonne River, St George, Queensland, 2008 | |
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| State | Queensland |
| Region | South West Queensland |
| Part of | Darling River, Murray-Darling basin |
| City | St George |
| Source | Condamine River at Surat. |
| - elevation | 274 m (899 ft) |
| Mouth | Western branch becomes Culgoa River north of Dirranbandi; The Eastern branch further splits into Bokhara River (west/right) and Narran River (left/east) just after flowing through Dirranbandi, |
| - elevation | 171 m (561 ft) |
| Length | 479 km (298 mi) |
| Reservoir | Lake Kajarabie |
| Wikimedia Commons: Balonne River | |
| [1] | |
The Balonne River, part of the Murray-Darling Basin system, is a short but important part of the inland river group of South West Queensland. This river is a continuation of the Condamine River. After flowing through Surat the river flows south south-westerly down through the E.J. Beardmore Dam (Lake Kajarabie).[1]
Passing through St George it continues in the same south-west direction, until about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Dirranbandi, where it branches, with the western branch then being called the Culgoa River. The eastern branch continues on as the Balonne River through Dirranbandi.
Shortly after flowing through Dirranbandi the Balonne River again branches into the Bokhara River on the west (right) and the Narran River on the left (eastern) side.[2] The Bokhara river joins with the Barwon River west of Brewarrina, thus contributing to the Darling River. The Narran river flows into Narran Wetlands. The confluence of the Culgoa and Barwon Rivers forms the start of the Darling River.
The five longest tributaries of the Balonne River are: the Condamine River, the Maranoa River, Dogwood Creek, Yuleba Creek and Tartulla Creek. The Andrew Nixon Bridge crosses the river at St George.
Water storage
E.J. Beardmore Dam was formed by the construction of a weir in 1972 at the junction of the Maranoa and Balonne Rivers.[3] When full the water backs up for 70 km along the Balonne. Downstream from Beardmore Dam is the Jack Taylor Weir, which was built in 1953.[3] On the Balonne tributary, Dogwood Creek there is another weir, the Gill Weir, which can hold 1050 ML.
History
Major Thomas Mitchell crossed the Balonne River on St George's Day, 23 April 1846.
Gallery
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E.J. Beardmore Dam viewed from the downstream side.
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Irrigation channel for cotton fed from E.J. Beardmore Dam.
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Siphon irrigation of cotton near St George, Queensland.
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Jack Taylor Weir viewed from downstream side at St George, Queensland.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Map of Balonne River, Qld". Bonzle.com. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
- ↑ "Chisholm, Alec H.". The Australian Encyclopaedia 1. Sydney: Halstead Press. 1963. p. 406. Balonne River.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harrison, Rod; Ernie James; Chris Sully; Bill Classon; Joy Eckermann (2008). Queensland Dams. Bayswater, Victoria: Australian Fishing Network. p. 155. ISBN 978-1-86513-134-4.
Coordinates: 29°57′29″S 146°18′28″E / 29.9581°S 146.3078°E
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