Young River (Western Australia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Young River |
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|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 252 metres (827 ft) |
| River mouth | Stokes Inlet |
| Length | 95 kilometres (59 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 2,073 km2 (800 sq mi) |
The Young River is a river located on the South coast of Western Australia. It starts its journey south of the Frank Hann National Park. The river then flows towards the southeast for about 95 kilometers (59 miles). Finally, it empties into Stokes Inlet, which then connects to the big Southern Ocean.
The Young River also flows through the beautiful Stokes National Park. It has only two smaller streams, called tributaries, that flow into it. These are Cascade Creek and Yerritup Creek.
History of the Young River
Early Use by Indigenous Australians
For a very long time, the area around the Young River was important to Indigenous Australians. They used the river as a travel path through the region. The river was a vital source of water. It provided some permanent waterholes along its path, which was very helpful in this mostly dry (semi-arid) landscape.
Many natural springs, called soaks, were found along the riverbanks. These were popular camping spots for Aboriginal Australians. We know of six such sites along the river. At these places, people have found several stone tools and other items left behind long ago.
It is believed that the Young River marked a boundary between two different Aboriginal groups. The Wudjaarri people lived to the west of the river. The Nyungarra people lived to the east.
European Naming and Changes
In 1835, a man named John Septimus Roe explored this area. He was the Surveyor General, which means he was in charge of mapping the land. He named the Young River after the Governor of South Australia at that time.
Since the 1950s, a lot of the land around the Young River has changed. About 60% of the land in the river's area has been cleared. This was done to create space for farming.
To understand the river better, the Department of the Environment set up four special measuring stations. The first one was put in place in 1970. These stations help scientists measure how much water flows in the river. They also check the quality of the water.
