Maranoa River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maranoa |
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Downstream of the Maranoa River at Mitchell
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| Country | Australia |
| State | Queensland |
| Region | South West Queensland |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Consuelo Tableland |
| River mouth | confluence with the Balonne River Lake Kajarabie 207 m (679 ft) 27°50′11″S 148°36′57″E / 27.83639°S 148.61583°E |
| Length | 519 km (322 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Darling River catchment, Murray–Darling basin |
| Basin size | 20,039 km2 (7,737 sq mi) |
| Tributaries |
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| National park | Carnarvon National Park |
The Maranoa River is an important river located in South West Queensland, Australia. It is a key part of the massive Murray-Darling Basin, which is one of the largest river systems in the world.
Contents
Journey of the Maranoa River
The Maranoa River begins in the Carnarvon National Park. It forms when two smaller parts, the west and east branches, join together on the Consuelo Tableland.
River's Path
The river flows through wide valleys. These valleys have sandy plains with tall, isolated sandstone cliffs and pillars. Unlike nearby Carnarvon Gorge, the Maranoa's path is not through narrow canyons.
The Maranoa River passes through the town of Mitchell. From there, it flows south towards St George. The river eventually meets the Balonne River just north of St George. The Balonne River then flows into the Darling River. This connection means the Maranoa River contributes to the huge Murray-Darling Basin.
River Length and Drop
From where it starts to where it ends, the Maranoa River is about 519 kilometers (322 miles) long. Along its journey, it drops 366 meters (1,201 feet) in elevation. The river is joined by 31 smaller rivers and streams, called tributaries. One of these is the Merivale River.
Crossing the River
The Warrego Highway crosses the Maranoa River at Mitchell. This is an important road for travel in the region.
Neil Turner Weir
In 1984, the Neil Turner Weir was built on the Maranoa River. A weir is like a small dam. It helps control the river's flow. It also provides some water for farms to grow crops. People can also use the weir for fun activities, like fishing or boating.
Flooding
The Maranoa River can sometimes experience big floods. A major flood happened on the river in 1990.
Maranoa in Culture
The Maranoa River is well-known in Australian folk culture. Several traditional Australian folksongs mention this river. Examples include Sandy Maranoa and The Maranoa Drovers. These songs tell stories about the people and life around the river.
