Strzelecki Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Strzelecki |
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A map of the Lake Eyre Basin showing the location of Strzelecki Creek
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 Location of the river mouth in South Australia
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| Country | Australia |
| State | South Australia |
| Region | Far North |
| Municipality | unincorporated area |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Cooper Creek south of Innamincka 52 m (171 ft) |
| River mouth | Lake Blanche west of Montecollina 1 m (3 ft 3 in) 29°21′51″S 139°49′49″E / 29.364260°S 139.830150°E |
| Length | 200 km (120 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Lake Eyre Basin |
| protected areas | Strzelecki Regional Reserve |
The Strzelecki Creek is a special kind of waterway in South Australia, Australia. It's part of the huge Lake Eyre basin. What makes it special is that it's an ephemeral watercourse. This means it doesn't always have water flowing in it. It only flows after heavy rains.
What is Strzelecki Creek Like?
The Strzelecki Creek is like a branch that splits off from another, bigger river called Cooper Creek. This split happens near a town called Innamincka. From there, Strzelecki Creek flows south for about 200 kilometers (about 124 miles). It travels through the Strzelecki Desert until it reaches Lake Blanche.
Even though it gets water from Cooper Creek, Strzelecki Creek can also fill up on its own. This happens when there are big local storms. The rain falls into its own "catchment area," which is the land where rainwater collects and flows into the creek.
When there's a lot of rain, the creek can flow so much that its water reaches other large lakes. These include Lake Callabonna, Lake Frome, and Lake Gregory. Along its path, the creek is often lined with trees. It also has many "waterholes," which are small pools of water that can last even when the rest of the creek is dry.
Where is Strzelecki Creek Located?
Parts of the Strzelecki Creek system are inside a special protected area. This area is called the Strzelecki Regional Reserve. It helps keep the natural environment safe. The creek system is also part of the Strzelecki Desert Lakes Important Bird Area. This area is important because many different kinds of birds live there.
The creek also runs through some old farming properties. These include a place called Tinga Tingana and another called Blanchewater Station.
How Did Strzelecki Creek Get Its Name?
The creek was named by a famous British explorer, Charles Sturt. He named it on August 18, 1845. He chose the name to honor Paul Edmund de Strzelecki. Paul Strzelecki was a Polish scientist and explorer.
Another explorer, Augustus Charles Gregory, found that following Strzelecki Creek was a great way to travel. His group used it to journey through the middle of Australia, from the Pacific Ocean all the way to the Southern Ocean.
