Jerrabomberra Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jerrabomberra Creek |
|
---|---|
Country | Australia |
State/Territory | |
IBRA | South Eastern Highlands |
District | Capital Country |
Municipality | Queanbeyan-Palerang |
Physical characteristics | |
Main source | below Lobb Hill between Williamsdale and Royalla, NSW 1,010 m (3,310 ft) |
River mouth | confluence with Molonglo River Lake Burley Griffin, ACT 554 m (1,818 ft) |
Length | 35 km (22 mi) |
Basin features | |
River system | Murrumbidgee River, Murray–Darling basin |
Basin size | 128 km2 (49 sq mi) |
Reservoir | Lake Burley Griffin |
Jerrabomberra Creek is a special waterway in Australia. It flows through parts of New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). This creek is important because it's part of the huge Murray–Darling basin, which is a very large river system.
The name Jerrabomberra comes from an Aboriginal word. It means "afraid of lightning." The Aboriginal people of the Ngunnawal tribe are the traditional owners of the land around Jerrabomberra Creek.
About Jerrabomberra Creek
Jerrabomberra Creek is a stream that sometimes flows all year round. It starts in New South Wales, near a place called Lobb Hill. The creek then flows generally north and northwest.
Where Does the Creek Go?
The creek travels about 35 kilometers (22 miles). It ends by joining the Molonglo River. This happens in Lake Burley Griffin, which is in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The creek drops about 452 meters (1,483 feet) from where it starts to where it meets the Molonglo River. The area that collects water for the creek, called its catchment, is about 128 square kilometers (49 square miles).
Amazing Wetlands
Before Jerrabomberra Creek reaches Lake Burley Griffin, it flows through some very important wetlands. These are called the Jerrabomberra Wetlands. They are a special place for many different animals.
- Birds: About 170 different kinds of birds live here. This includes the Latham’s snipe, which is a bird that travels long distances.
- Fish: There are eleven types of fish in the wetlands.
- Other Animals: You might also see the eastern water rat, a platypus, and the eastern snake-necked tortoise.
The wetlands have different parts, like a silt trap (which helps clean the water), several billabongs (small lakes), and a swamp. These areas help keep the water clean and provide homes for all the wildlife.