Cataract River (Tenterfield) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cataract River |
|
|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Swamp Oak Creek |
| Country | Australia |
| State | New South Wales |
| IBRA | New England Tablelands |
| District | Northern Tablelands |
| Local government area | Tenterfield |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Black Mountain, Great Dividing Range near Red Hill, southeast of Tenterfield 987 m (3,238 ft) |
| River mouth | confluence with the Clarence River Paddys Flat 177 m (581 ft) |
| Length | 85 km (53 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Clarence River catchment |
| Tributaries |
|
| National parks | Basket Swamp NP, Boonoo Boonoo NP |
The Cataract River is a cool river located in the Northern Tablelands area of New South Wales, Australia. It's mostly a perennial stream, which means it flows all year round. This river is an important part of the larger Clarence River system.
Contents
Where Does the Cataract River Start and End?
The Cataract River begins its journey on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range. This is a huge mountain range in Australia.
Starting Point: High Up in the Mountains
- The river starts near a place called Red Hill. This spot is southeast of Tenterfield.
- It begins high up, at about 987 meters (that's over 3,200 feet!) above sea level. Imagine starting your adventure from such a high point!
The River's Journey: Flowing North and East
- As the Cataract River flows, it generally moves towards the north and then northeast.
- Along its way, it gets bigger as six smaller streams, called tributaries, join it. These are like smaller rivers or creeks adding their water to the main river.
- The river travels a total distance of about 85 kilometers (that's about 53 miles).
- During its journey, the river drops a lot in height – about 810 meters (over 2,600 feet!). This big drop creates many interesting features along its course.
Where the River Ends: Joining the Clarence River
- The Cataract River eventually meets and joins the Clarence River. This meeting point is called a confluence.
- This happens near a place called Paddys Flat.
- At this point, the river is much lower, at about 177 meters (around 580 feet) above sea level.
National Parks Along the River
The Cataract River flows through some amazing natural areas. It passes through two important national parks:
- Basket Swamp National Park
- Boonoo Boonoo National Park
These parks help protect the unique plants and animals that live near the river.
The River and the Highway
For some parts of its journey, between Timbara Road and Sandy Hill, the Cataract River flows right next to the Bruxner Highway. This means if you're driving on that highway, you might get to see parts of the river!
