The Curdies River is a perennial river of the Corangamite catchment, located in the Otways region of the Australian state of Victoria.
| Curdies | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Victoria |
| Region | South East Coastal Plain (IBRA), The Otways |
| Local government area | Corangamite Shire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Otway Ranges |
| • location | Tandarook |
| • coordinates | 38°19′17″S 143°6′38″E / 38.32139°S 143.11056°E |
| • elevation | 92 m (302 ft) |
| Mouth | Great Australian Bight |
• location | Curdies Inlet, Peterborough |
• coordinates | 38°36′19″S 142°52′54″E / 38.60528°S 142.88167°E |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 66 km (41 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Corangamite catchment |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Burnip Creek, Power Creek, Fenton Creek, Scotts Creek (Victoria), Spring Creek (Victoria) |
| • right | Abecketts Creek |
| National park | Port Campbell National Park |
| [1][2] | |
Location and features
editCurdies River rises below the settlement of Tandarook in southwest Victoria, east of the settlement of Cobden and flows generally south by west, joined by six minor tributaries, before reaching its river mouth in the Port Campbell National Park and emptying into the Great Australian Bight at Curdies Inlet, at the settlement of Peterborough. From its highest point, the Curdies River descends 92 metres (302 ft) over its 66-kilometre (41 mi) course.[2]
Curdies Inlet, when full, covers an area of around 280 hectares and is located near the mouth of the Curdies River. Reasonable fishing and birdwatching can be enjoyed in the inlet.
The mouth is periodically blocked by sand. Sometimes, in order to avoid flooding around Peterborough, it has to be opened by excavation.[3]
The river was named after the first doctor in Cobden, Daniel Curdie.
Environmental issues
editIn April 2022, a blue-green algae outbreak started in the river. Some parts of the river turned green and emitted a strong putrid smell. Dead fish and cattle were found dead and floating in the river.[4]
EPA Victoria investigated 25 dairy farms situated within the catchment of the River. Two of the 25 inspected farms were not taking care of their effluent properly.[5]
The algae outbreak was due to the fact that the majority of the nutrients remained and built up at the bottom of the river after entering it between July and October and being stimulated by the warmth and sunlight of the summer.[6]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Curdies River: 2153". Vicnames. Government of Victoria. 2 May 1966. Archived from the original on 3 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- ^ a b "Map of Curdies River, VIC". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- ^ Hynes, Steve (5 August 2013). "Rising Curdies River drama at Peterborough". The Standard. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ "Tonnes of dead fish due to algal bloom choke Curdies River and the hopes of future fishers". ABC News. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "This river has been toxic for months. Now this group is devising a plan, but will it be too late?". ABC News. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "No 'quick fixes' for sick river". The Standard. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
External links
edit- "Great Otway National Park". Parks Victoria. Government of Victoria. 2014.
- "Corangamite Catchment Management Authority". Government of Victoria. 2014. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014.
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