Mcdonald River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mcdonald |
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 Location of Mcdonald River mouth in Queensland
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| Other name(s) | Macdonald; Collett |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Queensland |
| Region | Far North Queensland |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Great Dividing Range |
| River mouth | Gulf of Carpentaria north of Mapoon 0 m (0 ft) 11°32′11″S 142°04′08″E / 11.53639°S 142.06889°E |
| Length | 11 km (6.8 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 2,723 km2 (1,051 sq mi) |
The Mcdonald River is a river in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is also known as the Macdonald River or the Collett River by local people.
This river is found in the northern part of Queensland. It flows through a region known for its unique landscapes and wildlife.
Contents
Where Does the Mcdonald River Start and End?
The Mcdonald River begins in the lower parts of the Great Dividing Range. This is a large mountain range on the Cape York Peninsula.
How the River Forms
The river starts when two small, unnamed creeks join together. This joining point is called a confluence. From there, the Mcdonald River flows towards the west.
Journey to the Sea
The river travels about 12-kilometre (7.5 mi) (or 11 km (6.8 mi)). It drops about 14 metres (46 ft) in height along its path. Finally, it empties into the Gulf of Carpentaria. This gulf is a large, shallow sea north of a town called Mapoon.
What is a Catchment Area?
Every river has a catchment area. This is the land where all the rain and water flow into that specific river.
Mcdonald River's Catchment
The Mcdonald River has a catchment area of about 2,723 square kilometres (1,051 sq mi). This area is quite large.
Estuarine Wetlands
Within this catchment, about 105 square kilometres (41 sq mi) are made up of estuarine wetlands. These are special areas where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water. They are important homes for many plants and animals.
See also
In Spanish: Río Mcdonald para niños
