Gordon River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gordon
A tour boat on the lower Gordon River
Location of the Gordon River mouth in Tasmania
Country	Australia
State	Tasmania
Region	Central Highlands, South-west, Western
Physical characteristics
Main source	King William Range Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park 570 m (1,870 ft) 42°18′48″S 146°12′56″E / 42.31333°S 146.21556°E / -42.31333; 146.21556
River mouth	Southern Ocean Wrights Bay 0 m (0 ft) 42°25′57″S 145°30′25″E / 42.43250°S 145.50694°E / -42.43250; 145.50694
Length	172 km (107 mi)
Basin features
Tributaries	Left: Adams River, Serpentine River, Albert River, Orange River, Olga River, Sprent River, Franklin River Right: Gell River, Boyes River, Pokana River, Holley River, Smith River, Denison River, Spence River
Reservoir	Lake Gordon

The Gordon River is a big, important river in Tasmania, Australia. It flows all year round through the central, south-west, and western parts of the state. This amazing river is known for its wild beauty and plays a key role in Tasmania's nature and power supply.

Journey of the Gordon River

Reflections of the forest on the Gordon River.

The Gordon River starts high up in the mountains. It begins near Mount Hobhouse in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. The river collects water from the eastern side of the King William Range.

It flows south, then west, through a place called Gordon Gap. Here, the river flows into Lake Gordon. This lake is actually a huge reservoir created by a dam called the Gordon Dam. Water from another lake, Lake Pedder, also flows into Lake Gordon.

Power from the River

The main reason for Lake Gordon is to make hydro-electric power. This means using the force of moving water to create electricity. The water from the lake goes through the Gordon Power Station. This station helps provide power for many homes and businesses in Tasmania.

Through the Gorges

The "weak tea" coloured water of the Gordon River.

After the dam, the river continues its journey west. It passes through narrow, rocky sections called the Gordon Splits. For a long time, people thought these gorges were impossible to get through. But in 1958, a brave conservationist and photographer named Olegas Truchanas was the first person to travel through them in a kayak.

The river then turns north and finally west again. It reaches its mouth and empties into Macquarie Harbour at a place called Wrights Bay.

Many Tributaries

Along its 172-kilometre (107 mi) journey, 25 smaller rivers join the Gordon River. These are called tributaries. Some of them include the Gell, Boyes, Pokana, Holley, Adams, Serpentine, Albert, Orange, Smith, Denison, Olga, Sprent, Franklin, and Spence rivers.

The Wilderness and Its Water

The Gordon River drops 570 metres (1,870 ft) from its source to its mouth. Much of it flows through a wild, untouched area. This wilderness is protected within the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and Southwest National Park.

The lower part of the Gordon River is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. This area is special because it has a unique cold-climate rainforest. It also has rare trees that grow nowhere else.

Why the Water Looks Like Tea

The water in the Gordon River is fresh and safe to drink. But it has a strange colour, like weak tea! This happens because the water picks up a natural chemical called tannin. Tannin comes from a plant called button grass that grows in the area where the river collects its water.

Protecting the River

In the 1980s, there were plans to build more dams on the lower part of the Gordon River. One big dam, called the Franklin Dam, was planned near where the Franklin River joins the Gordon. This dam would have flooded large parts of both rivers.

Many people were very worried about this. They believed it would harm the beautiful wilderness and unique plants and animals. There was a huge public debate and many protests. In the end, the plans for the Franklin Dam were stopped. This was a big win for environmental protection in Australia.

Visiting the Gordon River

Today, the lower Gordon River is a popular place for tourists. Many people take boat trips from Strahan into Macquarie Harbour and up the river. These tours let visitors see the stunning rainforest and reflections on the water.

During warmer months, you can even take a seaplane flight from Strahan. These flights often include landing on the Gordon River for a closer look at this amazing natural wonder.

See also

In Spanish: Río Gordon para niños