Elizabeth River (Northern Territory)

The Elizabeth River Bridge across Elizabeth River, upstream the East Arm of Darwin Harbour

Elizabeth River flows into Darwin Harbour close to Darwin in the Australian Northern Territory.[1]

Climate

The climate of the Elizabeth River region is monsoon tropical with two distinct seasons: the Dry and the Wet. The Dry lasts for 6 months between April and September with an average rainfall of 24 mm, whereas the Wet lasts between October and March with an average monthly rainfall of 254 mm/month (according to the Bureau of Meteorology, 1999). The majority of the rain falls between December and April. Runoff varies between 250–1000 mm.

Peak flow for the Elizabeth River occurs in February with 389Ml/day, after which it slowly decreases until July when there is no freshwater input into Darwin Harbour until the onset of the following wet season (Padovan 1997). Cyclone frequency is low to moderate.[1]

Water quality

The water quality at the upper estuary monitoring sites of the Northern Territory Government was 2011 in excellent condition. Water quality at the freshwater monitoring sites was in very good condition in 2011.[2]

Geology

The underlying lithology is dominated by Permian siltstones and sandstones.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 N Smit, R Billyard and L Ferns: Beagle Gulf Benthic Survey: Characterisation of soft substrates. Technical Report No. 66 (2000), Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory.
  2. Elizabeth River and Estuary