Preston River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Preston River |
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|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Goonac siding 219 metres (719 ft) |
| River mouth | Leschenault Estuary |
| Length | 84 kilometres (52 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 113,957 hectares (281,594 acres) |
The Preston River is an important river in the South West part of Western Australia. It flows for about 84 kilometers (52 miles). The river starts near Goonac siding and travels northwest. It eventually empties into the Leschenault Estuary. The river's beginning, called its headwaters, is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) inland. It flows through areas like the Darling Range, the Blackwood Plateau, and the Swan Coastal Plain.
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Where the River Flows
The Preston River flows through different types of land. Most of the land around the river, called its catchment area, has been cleared. This means it's mostly used for farming. However, some natural forest still remains near where the river begins.
Towns Along the River
Two towns are located right on the banks of the Preston River. These towns are Donnybrook and Boyanup.
Other Waterways and Dams
Many smaller streams and rivers flow into the Preston River. These are called tributaries. The main ones are the Ferguson River and Joshua Creek. Other smaller streams include Thomson Brook, Crooked Brook, Charley Creek, Waterfall Gully, Mininup Brook, Millbrook, and Gavin Guly. The Glen Mervyn Dam is also built along the Preston River.
River Health and Water Quality
Scientists regularly check the water in the Preston River. This is because there have been problems with too many nutrients in the Leschenault Estuary, where the river ends. This problem is called eutrophication. It means there are too many nutrients like nitrogen, which can harm the water and the creatures living in it.
The water in many parts of the Preston River is fresh and generally has low levels of nutrients. However, some areas do have slightly higher levels of nitrogen.
How the River Got Its Name
The Preston River is named after a person named William Preston. He was an officer in the Royal Navy, which is the British navy. William Preston came to Australia in 1829 on a ship called HMS Sulphur. He then settled in the Swan River Colony, which was an early settlement in Western Australia.
