Settlement Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Settlement |
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| Native name | Wollogorang |
| Country | Australia |
| Territory and State | Northern Territory, Queensland |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Calvert Hills north of Jilundarina, Northern Territory 303 m (994 ft) |
| River mouth | Gulf of Carpentaria Tully Inlet, Queensland 0 m (0 ft) 16°32′31″S 138°08′21″E / 16.54194°S 138.13917°E |
| Length | 142 km (88 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 15,600 km2 (6,000 sq mi) |
The Settlement Creek is a special waterway in Australia. It flows through the Northern Territory and the state of Queensland. The local people, called the Ganggalida, know this creek as Wollogorang. This name means "happy running waters" in their language.
Contents
Journey of the Creek
The Settlement Creek starts its journey in the Northern Territory, near a place called Calvert Hills. From there, it flows towards the northeast. It travels through wide, open plains where not many people live. The creek passes by a large cattle farm known as Wollogorang Station.
Where the Creek Ends
After crossing the border into Queensland, the creek eventually empties into the Tully Inlet. This inlet is part of the much larger Gulf of Carpentaria. The creek drops about 303 meters (994 feet) over its total length of 142 kilometers (88 miles).
Waterholes and Wetlands
As the creek flows through the savannah country, it creates several important waterholes. These waterholes are like natural pools that hold water even during the dry season. Many animals rely on these waterholes for survival.
When the wet season arrives, the creek changes a lot. Heavy rains cause the water to overflow its banks. This creates huge wetland areas, which are like temporary swamps. These wetlands are important habitats for many plants and animals.
Creek's Family of Streams
Many smaller streams flow into Settlement Creek. These are called tributaries. Some of the main ones include Bullet Creek, Nine Mile Creek, One Mile Creek, Tom (Magira) Creek, Redbank Creek, and Camel Creek. The creek also has permanent waterholes like Gudindjina Waterhole, Baladana Waterhole, and Dijwalnguna Waterhole.
Creek's Surroundings
The area that collects water for Settlement Creek is called its catchment area. This area covers a huge space of about 15,600 square kilometers (6,023 square miles). A part of this area is in the Northern Territory, and the rest is in Queensland.
Neighboring Rivers
The catchment area of Settlement Creek is surrounded by other river systems. To the west, it's next to the Calvert River. To the south and east, it borders the Nicholson River.
Life in the Catchment Area
Not many people live in the Settlement Creek catchment area, fewer than 100 in total. Most of the land here is used for pastoralism, which means raising animals like cattle. There are many large cattle stations in this region. Other streams in this area include James, Scrutton, and Lagoon Creeks. Important wetland areas here are Wentworth Aggregation and parts of Marless Lagoon.
Fish Life
Settlement Creek is home to many different kinds of fish. Scientists have found 31 species living in its waters. Some of these fish include:
- Glassfish
- Barred grunter
- Silver cobbler
- Milkfish
- Fly-specked hardyhead
- Treadfin silver biddy
- Golden goby
- Barramundi
- Oxeye herring
- Mangrove jack
- Chequered rainbowfish
- Bony bream
- Catfish
- Hyrtl's tandan
- Freshwater longtom
- Seven-spot archerfish
- Gulf grunter
History of Settlement Creek
The traditional owners of the land around Settlement Creek are the Ganggalida and Gananggallanda peoples. They have lived here for a very long time and know the creek as Wollogorang.
European Naming
A man named George De Lautour gave the creek its current name, Settlement Creek, in 1873. He was traveling with cattle from Townsville to Port Darwin. When he reached the creek, he decided to send two of his helpers back to Burketown because he felt they were not good at bush travel.
Early Explorers and Settlers
The first Europeans to explore this area were part of the Ludwig Leichhardt expedition in 1845. They were traveling from Queensland to Port Essington. Later, in 1881, the Chisholm family became the first European settlers to get pastoral leases (permission to use land for farming) for Wollogorang Station.
Flooding and Protection
Settlement Creek can experience big floods after heavy rains. In 2006, floodwaters from the creek closed the Carpentaria Highway, which is part of Highway One. The dirt road was closed for over a week and needed a lot of repairs.
In 2006, the Queensland Government decided to protect Settlement Creek under special "wild river" laws. This meant the creek, along with Morning Inlet, the Gregory River, and the Staaten River, would get extra protection. By 2007, all these waterways were officially declared "wild rivers" to help keep them natural and healthy.
