Balonne River
Encyclopedia
The Balonne River, part of the Murray-Darling Basin
system, is a short but important part of the inland river group of south-eastern Queensland
. This river is a continuation of the Condamine River
. After flowing through Surat
the river flows south south-westerly down through the E.J. Beardmore Dam
(Lake Kajarabie).
Passing through St George
it continues in the same south-west direction, until about 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) north of Dirranbandi
, where it branches, with the western branch then being called the Culgoa River
. The eastern branch continues on as the Balonne River through Dirranbandi.
Shortly after flowing through Dirranbandi the Balonne River again branches into the Bokhara River
on the west (right) and the Narran River
on the left (eastern) side.
The Bokhara river joins with the Barwon River
west of Brewarrina
, thus contributing to the Darling River
. The Narran river flows into Narran Wetlands
. The confluence of the Culgoa and Barwon Rivers forms the start of the Darling River
.
The five longest tributaries of the Balonne River are: the Condamine River
, the Maranoa River
, Dogwood Creek, Yuleba Creek and Tartulla Creek. The Andrew Nixon Bridge
crosses the river at St George.
Murray-Darling Basin
The Murray-Darling basin is a large geographical area in the interior of southeastern Australia, whose name is derived from its two major rivers, the Murray River and the Darling River. It drains one-seventh of the Australian land mass, and is currently by far the most significant agricultural...
system, is a short but important part of the inland river group of south-eastern Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. This river is a continuation of the Condamine River
Condamine River
The Condamine River, part of the Murray-Darling Basin, drains the northern portion of the Darling Downs, an area of sub-coastal southern Queensland, Australia...
. After flowing through Surat
Surat, Queensland
Surat is a small rural town on the Balonne River, approximately south of Roma on the Carnarvon Highway. It is west of Brisbane. At the 2006 census, Surat had a population of 436.The district was first mapped by Surveyor-General Sir Thomas Mitchell in 1846...
the river flows south south-westerly down through the E.J. Beardmore Dam
E.J. Beardmore Dam
Situated 17 km north-east of St George lies E.J. Beardmore Dam . Constructed in 1972 for irrigation & town water the Beardmore Dam holds 81,800 ML of water at 100% capacity at an average depth of 2.4 metres and has a surface area of 3,350 ha...
(Lake Kajarabie).
Passing through St George
St George, Queensland
St George is a town of approximately 2400 people in south-western Queensland, Australia. It is the administrative centre for the Shire of Balonne. It was named by Major Thomas Mitchell who crossed the Balonne River on St George's Day, 23 April 1846. At the 2006 census, St George had a population of...
it continues in the same south-west direction, until about 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) north of Dirranbandi
Dirranbandi, Queensland
Dirranbandi is a town in south-western Queensland, Australia, located in the Shire of Balonne. It sits on the Castlereagh Highway and the Balonne River. It is notable for the population increase each year as seasonal workers come to work on the extensive cotton fields. Due to the low annual...
, where it branches, with the western branch then being called the Culgoa River
Culgoa River
The Culgoa River is a continuation of one branch of the Balonne River in southern Queensland and flows south-west to join the Darling River near Bourke, New South Wales. It is named for the Aboriginal word meaning "Running Through". Tributaries of the Culgoa include Nebine, Mungallala and Wallam...
. The eastern branch continues on as the Balonne River through Dirranbandi.
Shortly after flowing through Dirranbandi the Balonne River again branches into the Bokhara River
Bokhara River
The Bokhara River is a river in Australia and part of the Murray-Darling basin. Forming in south western Queensland, the river passes by the town of Hebel before passing into New South Wales and eventually reaching a confluence with the Barwon River downstream from Brewarrina...
on the west (right) and the Narran River
Narran River
The Narran River is a river which spans the Queensland-New South Wales border in Australia. It flows into Narran Lake, near Brewarrina. It is the easterly-most of the branches of the Balonne River that flows to the Barwon River...
on the left (eastern) side.
The Bokhara river joins with the Barwon River
Barwon River (New South Wales)
The Barwon River flows through New South Wales, virtually as a continuation of the Macintyre River / Border Rivers system, before joining with the Culgoa River to form the Darling River...
west of Brewarrina
Brewarrina, New South Wales
Brewarrina is a small town in North West New South Wales, Australia on the banks of the Barwon River in Brewarrina Shire. It is 98 km east of Bourke and west of Walgett on the Kamilaroi Highway, and 808 km from Sydney. Brewarrina has had its population decrease from 1,197 persons in...
, thus contributing to the Darling River
Darling River
The Darling River is the third longest river in Australia, measuring from its source in northern New South Wales to its confluence with the Murray River at Wentworth, New South Wales. Including its longest contiguous tributaries it is long, making it the longest river system in Australia.The...
. The Narran river flows into Narran Wetlands
Narran Wetlands
The Narran Wetlands, also known as the Narran Lakes, comprise a series of ephemeral lakes and swamps fed by the Narran River in north-central New South Wales, Australia...
. The confluence of the Culgoa and Barwon Rivers forms the start of the Darling River
Darling River
The Darling River is the third longest river in Australia, measuring from its source in northern New South Wales to its confluence with the Murray River at Wentworth, New South Wales. Including its longest contiguous tributaries it is long, making it the longest river system in Australia.The...
.
The five longest tributaries of the Balonne River are: the Condamine River
Condamine River
The Condamine River, part of the Murray-Darling Basin, drains the northern portion of the Darling Downs, an area of sub-coastal southern Queensland, Australia...
, the Maranoa River
Maranoa River
The Maranoa River is a large river situated in south west Queensland. The Maranoa passes through Mitchell and flows south towards St George. It is a tributary of the Balonne River which eventually flows into the Darling River , so it contributes to the Murray-Darling Basin.The river rises on the...
, Dogwood Creek, Yuleba Creek and Tartulla Creek. The Andrew Nixon Bridge
Andrew Nixon Bridge
The Andrew Nixon Bridge is a road bridge over the Balonne River in St George, Queensland, Australia.The bridge, which is part of the Balonne Highway, is the only river crossing in the area....
crosses the river at St George.