Manilla River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Manilla River |
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| Country | Australia |
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | IBRA: New England Tablelands, Brigalow Belt South |
| District | Northern Tablelands |
| Municipality | Tamworth |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | south–west of Barraba 845 m (2,772 ft) |
| River mouth | confluence with the Namoi River Manilla 349 m (1,145 ft) |
| Length | 138 km (86 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Murray–Darling basin |
| Reservoir | Split Rock Reservoir |
The Manilla River is a river in New South Wales, Australia. It's a "perennial stream," which means it flows all year round. This river is part of the larger Namoi river system. The Namoi River then flows into the huge Murray–Darling basin, one of the biggest river systems in the world!
The Manilla River starts in the Northern Tablelands area of New South Wales. It's an important part of the local environment and provides water for many uses.
Where the Manilla River Starts and Flows
The Manilla River begins its journey southwest of a town called Barraba. It starts on the northern slopes of the Baldwins Range. The river collects water from the hills on the western side of the New England highlands. It also gathers water from the southern slopes of the Nandewar Range.
The river generally flows north and then east towards the town of Barraba. As it travels, five smaller streams, called "tributaries," join it. These tributaries add more water to the Manilla River. After that, the river turns and flows south. It eventually meets the Namoi River at the town of Manilla.
From where it starts to where it joins the Namoi River, the Manilla River drops about 496 metres (1,627 ft) in height. Its total length is about 138 kilometres (86 mi).
What Does "Manilla" Mean?
The name "Manilla" comes from the Australian Aboriginal languages. The words manilla, maneela, or muneela mean "winding river" or "round about." This name perfectly describes how the river flows with many bends and turns.
Split Rock Dam: An Important Water Storage
About 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) north of Manilla, you'll find the Split Rock Dam. This dam creates the Split Rock Reservoir on the Manilla River. The reservoir is a very important place for storing water.
It helps control floods in the Namoi River basin. It also provides water for "irrigation," which means watering crops for farming. This dam helps ensure that people and farms in the area have enough water, especially during dry times.
