Buckingham River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buckingham |
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Location of the Buckingham River mouth in the Northern Territory
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Country | Australia |
Territory | Northern Territory |
Physical characteristics | |
Main source | Mitchell Ranges Arnhem Land, Australia 75 m (246 ft) |
River mouth | Buckingham Bay Australia 0 m (0 ft) 12°19′41″S 135°43′46″E / 12.32806°S 135.72944°E |
Length | 59 km (37 mi) |
Basin features | |
Basin size | 7,510 km2 (2,900 sq mi) |
The Buckingham River is a river in the Northern Territory of Australia. It flows for about 59 kilometers (37 miles). This river is an important natural feature in the remote Arnhem Land region.
Contents
Where the River Flows
The Buckingham River starts in the Mitchell Ranges. This area is on the eastern side of the ranges. The Central Arnhem Road crosses the ranges nearby.
River's Journey
From its source, the river flows north. It travels through wild, untouched land. Finally, it empties into Buckingham Bay. This bay is part of the larger Arafura Sea.
River Mouth and Estuary
Where the river meets the sea, it forms an estuary. An estuary is a special area where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water. The Buckingham River estuary is very natural and clean. It is affected by the ocean's tides.
River Facts and Figures
The area of land that drains into the Buckingham River is called its catchment area. This area covers about 7,510 square kilometers (2,900 square miles).
Water Flow
Every year, a huge amount of water flows through the Buckingham River. On average, about 2,330 gigaliters (1,890,000 acre-feet) of water flow out of the river each year. That's a lot of water!
Traditional Owners of the Land
The original people of this area are the Indigenous Australians. They are known as the Yolngu peoples. Sometimes, they are also called the Murngin. These traditional owners have lived on and cared for this land for thousands of years.
Community Connection
The Aboriginal community of Gapuwiyak is connected to the river. Supplies for the community are often brought by barge up the river. From the river landing, it's about 20 kilometers (12 miles) by road to Gapuwiyak.