Watson River (Queensland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Watson |
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 Location of Watson River mouth in Queensland
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| Country | Australia |
| State | Queensland |
| Region | Far North Queensland |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Emberley Range 40 m (130 ft) |
| River mouth | Gulf of Carpentaria Archer Bay 0 m (0 ft) 13°22′45″S 141°43′50″E / 13.37917°S 141.73056°E |
| Length | 92 km (57 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 4,679 km2 (1,807 sq mi) |
The Watson River is a river found in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is an important waterway in this part of Australia.
Contents
Where is the Watson River?
The Watson River starts its journey in the Emberley Range. It begins near Aurukun Road. From there, it flows towards the southwest. The river passes through a valley.
The River's Journey to the Sea
The Watson River eventually flows into Archer Bay. This bay is close to a town called Aurukun. The Archer River and the Ward River also meet the sea here. All these rivers then join the large Gulf of Carpentaria.
The Watson River is about 92-kilometre (57 mi) long. As it travels, it drops about 40 metres (130 ft) in height. Four smaller rivers, called tributaries, flow into the Watson River along its path.
What is the Watson River Catchment Area?
The area of land that collects water for the Watson River is called its catchment. This catchment covers a large space of about 4,679 square kilometres (1,807 sq mi). To the south, it borders the land that drains into the Archer River.
Wetlands and Wildlife Refuges
The Watson River catchment has many large wetland areas. Wetlands are like swamps or marshes. The edges of these wetlands have forests of stringybark trees. There are also lagoons lined with paperbark trees. These lagoons are very important. They act as safe places for animals during the dry season.
What Fish Live in the Watson River?
Many different kinds of fish make their home in the Watson River. These fish are an important part of the river's ecosystem.
Common Fish Species
Some of the fish you might find include:
- The Empire Gudgeon
- The Northern Trout Gudgeon
- The Chequered Rainbowfish
- Black-banded Rainbowfish
- Banded Rainbowfish
- The Spotted Blue-eye
- Obbes Catfish
- Delicate Blue-eyes Fish
- And the famous Barramundi
Who are the Traditional Owners of the Land?
The original people who have lived on this land for a very long time are called the traditional owners. For the area around the Watson River, these groups are the Wik, Winda winda, and Mbelwum peoples. They have a deep connection to this land and its rivers.
