Shaw River (Western Australia)

Shaw River
Origin Chichester Range
Mouth De Grey River
Basin countries Australia
Length 160 kilometres (99 mi)
Source elevation 510 metres (1,673 ft)[1]
Mouth elevation 23 metres (75 ft)
Avg. discharge 191 GL/annum
Basin area 6,510 square kilometres (2,514 sq mi)[2]


The Shaw River is an ephemeral river in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

The headwaters of the river rise below the Chichester Range near Emu Springs and flow in northerly direction through Hillside. The river is braided and has many islands in the riverbed including Long Island and Rocky Island. The river continues through Gorge Range and flows north until discharging into the De Grey River, of which it is a tributary, just south of the North West Coastal Highway approximately 50 kilometres (31 mi) East of Port Headland.

The river has 23 tributaries including; Big Creek, Tambourah Creek, Coolargarrak Creek, Dalton Creek and Miralga Creek. It also flows through one major pool; Coondina Pool.

During drought conditions the river can have zero flow for up to 4 years at a time.

The water quality of the river is dependent on flow but has an average salinity of 110 mg/L and a turbidity of 78 NTU.

References

  1. "Bonzle Digital Atlas – Map of Shaw River". 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2009.
  2. "Surface Hydrology of the Pilbara Region". 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2009.

Coordinates: 20°20′07″S 119°17′27″E / 20.33528°S 119.29083°E