Wildman River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wildman |
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 Location of the Wildman River mouth in the Northern Territory
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| Country | Australia |
| Territory | Northern Territory |
| Region | Darwin Coastal (IBRA) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Finke Bay, Van Diemen Gulf, Timor Sea Kakadu 0 m (0 ft) 12°18′S 132°03′E / 12.300°S 132.050°E |
| Length | 98 km (61 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 4,818 km2 (1,860 sq mi) |
| Tributaries |
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| National park | Kakadu National Park |
The Wildman River is a beautiful river located in the Northern Territory of Australia. It flows through an area known as the Darwin Coastal bioregion, which is a special natural region. This river is an important part of the landscape, providing a home for many plants and animals.
Contents
Where is the Wildman River?
The Wildman River starts when two smaller rivers, the East and West Branches, join together. This happens southwest of a place called Kapalga, inside the amazing Kakadu National Park. The river begins west of the Alligator Rivers area, which is another big river system.
River's Journey to the Sea
From its start, the Wildman River flows mostly northeast, then turns east. It gets bigger when Alligator Creek, its main smaller river, joins it. The river is about 150 kilometres (93 mi) east of Darwin, a major city in the Northern Territory.
The Wildman River has a very winding path, like a snake, as it moves towards the western edge of the Manassie Floodplain. Then it turns northwest. For about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), the eastern side of the river forms part of the western border of Kakadu National Park. Finally, the Wildman River reaches its mouth and empties into Finke Bay. This bay is part of the Van Diemen Gulf, which then connects to the Timor Sea. Over its entire 98 kilometres (61 mi) journey, the river drops about 20 metres (66 ft) in height.
River's Size and Surroundings
The area of land that collects water for the Wildman River is called its catchment. This catchment covers a huge area of 4,818 square kilometres (1,860 sq mi). It is located between the Mary River to the west and the Alligator Rivers to the east. The Wildman River sends out about 800 gigalitres (1.046×109 cu yd) of water each year.
The estuary at the river's mouth is a very special place. An estuary is where the river meets the sea. This one is almost untouched by humans. It covers about 4.37 square kilometres (2 sq mi) and is mainly shaped by the river's flow, but the ocean tides also play a role. It has one main channel and a large area of 121.9 hectares (301 acres) covered with mangrove trees. Mangroves are unique trees that grow in salty water.
How the Wildman River Got Its Name
The Wildman River was named in 1866 by a man named John Davis. He was the government store keeper at the time. John Davis named the river after his friend, E. T. Wildman. Mr. Wildman was the Secretary to the Crown Lands Commission for South Australia.
