Hopkins River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hopkins |
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Hopkins Falls, near Wangoom, in 1993
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| Country | Australia |
| State | Victoria |
| Region | Victorian Midlands (IBRA), Western District |
| Local government area | Moyne Shire, Warrnambool |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | near Ararat 338 m (1,109 ft) 38°0′54″S 142°8′15″E / 38.01500°S 142.13750°E |
| River mouth | Southern Ocean Warrnambool 0 m (0 ft) 38°24′9″S 142°30′29″E / 38.40250°S 142.50806°E |
| Length | 271 km (168 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Glenelg Hopkins catchment |
| Tributaries |
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| Waterfall | Hopkins Falls |
The Hopkins River is a river in Victoria, Australia. It's called a perennial river because it flows all year round, even during dry seasons. It's part of the larger Glenelg Hopkins river system and is found in the Western District of Victoria.
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River's Journey and Features
The Hopkins River starts its journey near a place called Telegraph Hill, close to Ararat. From there, it flows mostly south. Along its way, it is joined by twelve smaller streams, which are called tributaries. One of these important tributaries is the Mount Emu Creek.
The river travels for about 271 kilometers (168 miles). As it flows, it drops about 338 meters (1,109 feet) in height from its source to its end. The river and its tributaries help drain water from a large area, including Lake Bolac.
Near Allansford, the river creates a beautiful sight called the Hopkins Falls. Here, the water tumbles down a drop of about 11 to 13 meters (36 to 43 feet). The Hopkins River flows through the city of Warrnambool, along with another river called the Merri River. The river also passes near the end of the famous Great Ocean Road close to Allansford. Finally, the Hopkins River reaches its mouth at Warrnambool, where it empties into the Southern Ocean.
River Health and Restoration
The Hopkins River has faced some challenges with its health. Less than 5% of the riverbanks have natural plants and trees growing on them. This lack of natural vegetation can affect the river's ecosystem.
To help the river, a special effort called the Hopkins River Re-vegetation Project (HRRP) began in 2016. This project was started by a local group called the Ellerslie Residents Group Inc.
First Steps of the Project
The first part of the HRRP project started in 2016 in Ellerslie. This part of the project focused on planting new vegetation between the Hopkins Highway bridge and an older, historic bridge.
Future Plans for Restoration
The next parts of the project, called Phase 2 and Phase 3, are planned for the eastern side of the river. These phases will cover the area between the first project site and where Stony Creek joins the river. The goal is to plant more native trees and plants to help the river become healthier.
How the River Got Its Name
The Hopkins River was named in 1836 by a famous explorer named Major Thomas Mitchell. He named it after his friend, Sir John Paul Hopkins.
