Loddon River
Encyclopedia
The Loddon River is a 392-km long tributary of the Murray River
that flows through central and northern Victoria
, Australia
. The river rises near Trentham
and flows by Glenlyon
. It then flows generally northward through Guildford
and Newstead
, 40 km west of Bendigo
through the Cairn Curran Reservoir
and Laanecoorie Reservoir and continues north through the town of Bridgewater
. It then passes Serpentine
and north to Kerang
. Finally it turns northwest and flows into the Murray River near Swan Hill
.
There are weirs in Bridgewater and Kerang to keep water in the towns, but otherwise the river can dry up in summer. There is current work going on to determine and implement suitable environmental flows in the river.
The pool upstream of the Bridgewater weir is used for watersports such as waterskiing. Both reservoirs are also used for motor boats and sailing
.
from where it heads northward to
Glenlyon
where it is crossed by the Daylesford-Malmsbury Road and on to Loddon Falls. The Drummond-Vaughan Forest Road crosses the river at three locations and the Porcupine Ridge Road crosses near the Vaughan Springs area. Further river crossings are encountered at Kemps Bridge Road, the Midland Highway south of Guildford
, as well as Punt Road and the Pyrenees Highway
in Newstead
.
before emerging at Baringhup where it is crossed by the Baringhup Road, and subsequently by the Baringhup West-Eastville Road, Rumbolds Road, Pickerings Lane, Back Eddington Road and Bendigo-Maryborough Road at Eddington
.
At Laanecoorie, the river is crossed by the Janevale bridge, a reinforced concrete girder bridge
built in 1911 which is listed as a Heritage Place in
the Victorian Heritage Register
. The river then flows into Laanecoorie Reservoir, and then northwards where it is crossed by the Tarnagulla-Laanecoorie Road and then to Newbridge
where it is crossed by the Wimmera Highway
. From Newbridge it flows due north to Bridgewater On Loddon.
The river at The Bridgewater On Loddon is used for waterskiing, swimming and fishing. At Bridgewater there is a designated 3.2 km general water skiing
area, a 950 metre slalom and ski jump area. Water skiing events held in this area include the Australian Masters in January, the pre-Moomba
tournament in February and the Bridgewater Ski Club Tournament. Additionally, a 90 metre swimming area is designated at the Flour Mill Weir.
When reasonable water levels flow, the Mill Rapid downstream of the Calder Hwy bridge provides technical whitewater kayaking
of Grade 3 standard featuring a short fast run. Access is usually via local roads on the west bank. Upstream of the Calder Hwy bridge kayakers and canoeists will have a pleasant paddling experience but may have to share the river with swimmers, fishers, and waterskiers.
At Bridgewater the river is crossed by the Calder Highway
and the Eaglehawk-Inglewood railway line. A further road crossing is encountered at Bridgewater-Serpentine Road, to the south of Serpentine
. Fish found in this section include Murray cod
and golden perch
.
.
. The water downstream from the weir can be up to 5-7 metres deep and provides fishing opportunities for redfin
, golden perch
, silver perch
, carp
and to a lesser extent Murray cod
. Downstream from Loddon Weir the river averages 7 to 14 metres wide, and up to 26 metres wide at certain points, with a bank height of around 3 metres. Road crossings in this section include Lagoona Road, Borung-Hurstwood Road, Ellerslie Road, Majors Line Road, Boort-Pyramid Road , Boort-Yando Road, Canary Island-Leaghur Road, Appin South Road, Hewitt Road and Wood Lane.
was constructed next to the weir in 2008.
In Kerang the river is crossed by the Old Kerang Road, Murray Valley Highway
and the Swan Hill railway line.
forest. The main fish species are redfin
, golden perch
and Murray cod
.
After Kerang the river is crossed by West Road, O'Donoghues Bridge Road, Baulch Road and the Wells Bridge which carries the Lake Charm Road. The river ends at it confluence
with the Little Murray River
at Benjeroop.
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
that flows through central and northern Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The river rises near Trentham
Trentham, Victoria
Trentham is a small town in the Shire of Hepburn and Shire of Moorabool Local government area, Victoria, Australia. At the 2006 census, Trentham had a population of 629.Located at an altitude of , the town is north-west of Melbourne.-History:...
and flows by Glenlyon
Glenlyon, Victoria
Glenlyon is a small town in the Shire of Hepburn Local Government Area, Victoria, Australia. The town is situated around 10 km from Daylesford along the Daylesford - Malmsbury Road, and around 100 km from the Melbourne CBD. The town sits next to the Loddon River.-History:In 1846, Richard Babington...
. It then flows generally northward through Guildford
Guildford, Victoria
Guildford is a small settlement situated on the Loddon River, north-west of Melbourne, in Victoria, Australia. It is located on the Midland Highway between Daylesford and Castlemaine...
and Newstead
Newstead, Victoria
Newstead is a town in Victoria, Australia, situated along the Loddon River. It is in the Shire of Mount Alexander local government area. At the 2006 census, Newstead had a population of 487...
, 40 km west of Bendigo
Bendigo, Victoria
Bendigo is a major regional city in the state of Victoria, Australia, located very close to the geographical centre of the state and approximately north west of the state capital Melbourne. It is the second largest inland city and fourth most populous city in the state. The estimated urban...
through the Cairn Curran Reservoir
Cairn Curran Reservoir
Cairn Curran reservoir is situated along the Loddon River near the townships of Baringhup, Newstead and Welshmans Reef in Victoria, Australia....
and Laanecoorie Reservoir and continues north through the town of Bridgewater
Bridgewater On Loddon, Victoria
Bridgewater On Loddon is a town in north central Victoria, Australia. The town is located on the Calder Highway, north west of Bendigo, astride the Loddon River. At the 2006 census, Bridgewater On Loddon had a population of 391...
. It then passes Serpentine
Serpentine, Victoria
Serpentine is a town in north west Victoria, Australia. Located on the Loddon Valley Highway, the town is 201 kilometres north west of the state capital, Melbourne and 51 kilometres north west of the regional centre, Bendigo...
and north to Kerang
Kerang, Victoria
Kerang is a rural town on the Loddon River in northern Victoria in Australia. It is the commercial centre to an irrigation district based on livestock, horticulture, lucerne and grain. It is located north-west of Melbourne on the Murray Valley Highway a few kilometres north of its intersection...
. Finally it turns northwest and flows into the Murray River near Swan Hill
Swan Hill, Victoria
Swan Hill is a city in the northwest of Victoria, Australia. It is located on the Murray Valley Highway, on the south bank of the Murray River, downstream from the junction of the Loddon River. At the 2006 census, Swan Hill had a population of 9,684.-History:...
.
There are weirs in Bridgewater and Kerang to keep water in the towns, but otherwise the river can dry up in summer. There is current work going on to determine and implement suitable environmental flows in the river.
The pool upstream of the Bridgewater weir is used for watersports such as waterskiing. Both reservoirs are also used for motor boats and sailing
Sailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
.
Lyonville to Newstead
The head of the river is at LyonvilleLyonville, Victoria
Lyonville is a town located in the Shire of Hepburn, Victoria, Australia. East of Daylesford on the Trentham road, the town takes its name from James Lyon who had arrived in the Glenlyon district in the 1860's. At the 2006 census, Lyonville had a population of 156.Lyonville Post Office opened on...
from where it heads northward to
Glenlyon
Glenlyon, Victoria
Glenlyon is a small town in the Shire of Hepburn Local Government Area, Victoria, Australia. The town is situated around 10 km from Daylesford along the Daylesford - Malmsbury Road, and around 100 km from the Melbourne CBD. The town sits next to the Loddon River.-History:In 1846, Richard Babington...
where it is crossed by the Daylesford-Malmsbury Road and on to Loddon Falls. The Drummond-Vaughan Forest Road crosses the river at three locations and the Porcupine Ridge Road crosses near the Vaughan Springs area. Further river crossings are encountered at Kemps Bridge Road, the Midland Highway south of Guildford
Guildford, Victoria
Guildford is a small settlement situated on the Loddon River, north-west of Melbourne, in Victoria, Australia. It is located on the Midland Highway between Daylesford and Castlemaine...
, as well as Punt Road and the Pyrenees Highway
Pyrenees Highway
Pyrenees Highway in western Victoria, Australia is a 206 kilometre highway serving to link the Calder Highway in Elphinstone with the Glenelg Highway in Glenthompson...
in Newstead
Newstead, Victoria
Newstead is a town in Victoria, Australia, situated along the Loddon River. It is in the Shire of Mount Alexander local government area. At the 2006 census, Newstead had a population of 487...
.
Newstead to Bridgewater on Loddon
After Newstead the river flows in to the Cairn Curran ReservoirCairn Curran Reservoir
Cairn Curran reservoir is situated along the Loddon River near the townships of Baringhup, Newstead and Welshmans Reef in Victoria, Australia....
before emerging at Baringhup where it is crossed by the Baringhup Road, and subsequently by the Baringhup West-Eastville Road, Rumbolds Road, Pickerings Lane, Back Eddington Road and Bendigo-Maryborough Road at Eddington
Eddington, Victoria
Eddington is a small town on the Loddon River in Central Victoria, Australia. It is approximately north-west of Maldon, SE of Dunolly, ENE of Maryborough and south-west of Bendigo...
.
At Laanecoorie, the river is crossed by the Janevale bridge, a reinforced concrete girder bridge
Girder bridge
A girder bridge, in general, is a bridge built of girders placed on bridge abutments and foundation piers. In turn, a bridge deck is built on top of the girders in order to carry traffic. There are several different subtypes of girder bridges:...
built in 1911 which is listed as a Heritage Place in
the Victorian Heritage Register
Victorian Heritage Register
The Victorian Heritage Register lists places of cultural heritage significance to the State of Victoria, Australia. It has statutory weight under the Heritage Act 1995 which establishes Heritage Victoria as the permit authority...
. The river then flows into Laanecoorie Reservoir, and then northwards where it is crossed by the Tarnagulla-Laanecoorie Road and then to Newbridge
Newbridge, Victoria
Newbridge is a town in central Victoria, Australia. The town is located on the Loddon River and in the Shire of Loddon Local Government Area, north of the state capital, Melbourne. At the 2006 census, Newbridge had a population of 476....
where it is crossed by the Wimmera Highway
Wimmera Highway
Wimmera Highway is a 345 kilometre highway that connects the towns of Marong, Victoria and Naracoorte, South Australia, through the major junctions of Sunraysia Highway, Henty Highway and Western Highway.-See also:*Highways in Australia*Highways in Victoria...
. From Newbridge it flows due north to Bridgewater On Loddon.
Bridgewater On Loddon to Serpentine Weir
Water skiing
thumb|right|A slalom skier making a turn on a slalom waterski.Waterskiing is a sport where an individual is pulled behind a boat or a cable ski installation on a body of water, skimming the surface.-History:...
area, a 950 metre slalom and ski jump area. Water skiing events held in this area include the Australian Masters in January, the pre-Moomba
Moomba
Moomba is Australia's largest free community festival and one of the longest running festivals in Australia. Held annually in the city of Melbourne, Australia, Moomba is celebrated during the Labour Day long weekend , and has been celebrated since 1955...
tournament in February and the Bridgewater Ski Club Tournament. Additionally, a 90 metre swimming area is designated at the Flour Mill Weir.
When reasonable water levels flow, the Mill Rapid downstream of the Calder Hwy bridge provides technical whitewater kayaking
Whitewater kayaking
Whitewater kayaking is the sport of paddling a kayak on a moving body of water, typically a whitewater river. Whitewater kayaking can range from simple, carefree gently moving water, to demanding, dangerous whitewater. River rapids are graded like ski runs according to the difficulty, danger or...
of Grade 3 standard featuring a short fast run. Access is usually via local roads on the west bank. Upstream of the Calder Hwy bridge kayakers and canoeists will have a pleasant paddling experience but may have to share the river with swimmers, fishers, and waterskiers.
At Bridgewater the river is crossed by the Calder Highway
Calder Highway
Calder Highway is a Highway linking Ravenswood South in Victoria, to Mildura. North of the Victoria/New South Wales border, the highway continues north to Broken Hill, Tibooburra and the New South Wales/Queensland border as the Silver City Highway, under the standard national route shield as far...
and the Eaglehawk-Inglewood railway line. A further road crossing is encountered at Bridgewater-Serpentine Road, to the south of Serpentine
Serpentine, Victoria
Serpentine is a town in north west Victoria, Australia. Located on the Loddon Valley Highway, the town is 201 kilometres north west of the state capital, Melbourne and 51 kilometres north west of the regional centre, Bendigo...
. Fish found in this section include Murray cod
Murray Cod
The Murray cod is a large Australian predatory freshwater fish of the Maccullochella genus and the Percichthyidae family. Although the species is a called cod in the vernacular, it is not related to the northern hemisphere marine cod species...
and golden perch
Golden perch
The golden perch, Macquaria ambigua, is an Australian native freshwater fish, primarily of the Murray-Darling river system. It is not a true perch of the genus Perca....
.
Serpentine Weir to Loddon Weir
This 15 kilometre stretch of the river with high summer flows commences at the small concrete weir at SerpentineSerpentine, Victoria
Serpentine is a town in north west Victoria, Australia. Located on the Loddon Valley Highway, the town is 201 kilometres north west of the state capital, Melbourne and 51 kilometres north west of the regional centre, Bendigo...
.
Loddon Weir to Macorna Channel
At Loddon Weir, also known as Fernihurst Weir there is road access which enables boats to be launched from the bank. After the weir, water is diverted to the Waranga Western ChannelWaranga Basin
Waranga Basin is a reservoir forming part of the Goulburn River irrigation system in Victoria, Australia. It is located in Shire of Campaspe near the City of Greater Shepparton and is located near the townships of Tatura, Rushworth and Murchison...
. The water downstream from the weir can be up to 5-7 metres deep and provides fishing opportunities for redfin
Redfin
Redfin is an online real estate brokerage, currently available in the Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco Bay, Seattle, and Washington, D.C areas. Redfin combines a real estate search site...
, golden perch
Golden perch
The golden perch, Macquaria ambigua, is an Australian native freshwater fish, primarily of the Murray-Darling river system. It is not a true perch of the genus Perca....
, silver perch
Silver Perch
Silver perch is a medium sized freshwater fish endemic to the Murray-Darling river system in south-eastern Australia. The scientific name comes from an aboriginal name for the species recorded by Major Mitchell on his 1832 expedition. It is not a perch, being a grunter in the family Terapontidae...
, carp
Carp
Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain...
and to a lesser extent Murray cod
Murray Cod
The Murray cod is a large Australian predatory freshwater fish of the Maccullochella genus and the Percichthyidae family. Although the species is a called cod in the vernacular, it is not related to the northern hemisphere marine cod species...
. Downstream from Loddon Weir the river averages 7 to 14 metres wide, and up to 26 metres wide at certain points, with a bank height of around 3 metres. Road crossings in this section include Lagoona Road, Borung-Hurstwood Road, Ellerslie Road, Majors Line Road, Boort-Pyramid Road , Boort-Yando Road, Canary Island-Leaghur Road, Appin South Road, Hewitt Road and Wood Lane.
Macorna Channel to Kerang Weir
Ten kilometres south of Kerang water flows are increased due to water entering from the Macorna Channel, and the higher flows are maintained for the next 15 kilometres of river up to the Kerang Weir. A vertical slot fishwayFish ladder
A fish ladder, also known as a fishway, fish pass or fish steps, is a structure on or around artificial barriers to facilitate diadromous fishes' natural migration. Most fishways enable fish to pass around the barriers by swimming and leaping up a series of relatively low steps into the waters on...
was constructed next to the weir in 2008.
In Kerang the river is crossed by the Old Kerang Road, Murray Valley Highway
Murray Valley Highway
The Murray Valley Highway is a popular tourist route, which follows the south side of the Murray River in Victoria, Australia. The route effectively acts as the northern-most highway in Victoria...
and the Swan Hill railway line.
Kerang Weir to Little Murray River confluence
The final stretch of the river flows through saltbush and Black BoxEucalyptus largiflorens
Eucalyptus largiflorens, or Black Box, is a species of Eucalyptus which is endemic to Australia. It is a tree grows up to 20 metres in height...
forest. The main fish species are redfin
Redfin
Redfin is an online real estate brokerage, currently available in the Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco Bay, Seattle, and Washington, D.C areas. Redfin combines a real estate search site...
, golden perch
Golden perch
The golden perch, Macquaria ambigua, is an Australian native freshwater fish, primarily of the Murray-Darling river system. It is not a true perch of the genus Perca....
and Murray cod
Murray Cod
The Murray cod is a large Australian predatory freshwater fish of the Maccullochella genus and the Percichthyidae family. Although the species is a called cod in the vernacular, it is not related to the northern hemisphere marine cod species...
.
After Kerang the river is crossed by West Road, O'Donoghues Bridge Road, Baulch Road and the Wells Bridge which carries the Lake Charm Road. The river ends at it confluence
Confluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
with the Little Murray River
Little Murray River (Victoria)
The Little Murray River is a river of the state of Victoria in Australia. It is an anabranch of the Murray River beginning near Fish Point, Victoria and reentering the Murray near Swan Hill...
at Benjeroop.