Swampy Plain River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swampy Plain River |
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|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Swampy Plains River, East Branch (Murray) River, Murray River, Geehi Creek, Cootapatamba Creek |
| Country | Australia |
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Australian Alps (IBRA), Snowy Mountains |
| Local government area | Snowy Valleys |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Snowy Mountains below Mount Kosciuszko 2,120 m (6,960 ft) |
| River mouth | Murray River near Khancoban 263 m (863 ft) |
| Length | 59 km (37 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Murray catchment, Murray–Darling basin |
| Tributaries |
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| Reservoir | Lake Cootapatamba |
The Swampy Plain River is a river in New South Wales, Australia. It flows all year round and is part of the huge Murray river system. This system is also known as the Murray–Darling basin. The river is found in the beautiful Snowy Mountains area.
Contents
River's Journey and Features
Where Does the River Start?
The Swampy Plain River begins high up on the southern side of Mount Kosciuszko. This is Australia's tallest mountain and is located inside Kosciuszko National Park. The river starts at an elevation of about 2,120 meters (6,955 feet). This makes it one of the highest rivers in Australia!
How the River Flows
From its starting point, the river flows in different directions. It goes south, then north, and finally northwest. Along its journey, nine smaller rivers and streams join it. One of these is the Geehi River. The Swampy Plain River eventually meets the Murray River near a town called Khancoban.
Over its 59-kilometer (37-mile) path, the river drops about 1,860 meters (6,100 feet) in height.
Dams and Power Stations
The Swampy Plain River has two important dams along its course.
- Lake Cootapatamba is a small lake or reservoir near where the river begins.
- Khancoban Dam is located closer to where the river ends.
Just before Khancoban Dam, there's a big power station called the Murray-2 Power Station. This station uses the power of water to create electricity. Water from the power station flows into Khancoban Reservoir. Then, it goes over the dam's spillway and continues down the Swampy Plain River.
Towns and Activities
The river flows near the small towns of Geehi and Khancoban. It's a very popular spot for fly fishing. Many people come here to catch brown and rainbow trout.
Hiking to Mount Kosciuszko
There's a famous hiking trail called the Hannel's Spur Track that starts near the Swampy Plain River. This trail leads all the way up to the top of Mount Kosciuszko. The starting point for this trail is close to where the Swampy Plain River and the Geehi River meet. It's known as a challenging but rewarding way to reach Australia's highest peak.
