Avon River (Wollongong) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Avon River |
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|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Sydney Basin (IBRA), Southern Highlands, Macarthur |
| Local government areas | Wollongong, Wollondilly |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Illawarra escarpment west of Calderwood 348 m (1,142 ft) |
| River mouth | confluence with the Cordeaux River near Wilton 193 m (633 ft) |
| Length | 32 km (20 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment |
| Reservoir | Lake Avon |
The Avon River is a river in New South Wales, Australia. It's a perennial river, which means it flows all year round. The river is part of the larger Hawkesbury-Nepean river system. You can find it in the Southern Highlands and Macarthur areas.
Contents
Where the Avon River Flows
The Avon River starts on the western side of the Illawarra escarpment. This is a steep slope of land. It begins near a place called Calderwood, which is in the Wollongong area.
River's Journey
From its start, the river flows mostly north. It eventually joins another river called the Cordeaux River. This meeting point is south of Wilton. The river drops about 155 metres (509 ft) (about 500 feet) along its 32-kilometre (20 mi) (about 20 miles) journey.
Avon Dam and Lake Avon
The Avon River is very important because it has a large dam built on it. This dam creates a big lake called Lake Avon. Lake Avon is the biggest of four reservoirs (large artificial lakes for storing water) that are part of the Upper Nepean Scheme.
Supplying Water to Sydney
The Upper Nepean Scheme helps supply potable water (safe drinking water) to the big city of greater metropolitan Sydney. The Avon Dam is located near Bargo, which is about 100 kilometres (62 mi) (about 60 miles) south-west of Sydney.
Dam Construction and Purpose
Building the dam wall on the Avon River started in 1921 and was finished in 1927. Later, in 1963, the water from the dam was also sent to the Illawarra region. Now, it provides water for the entire Wollongong area.
