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River Derwent (Tasmania)
The River Derwent (palawa kani: timtumili minanya) is a significant perennial river and tidal estuary in Tasmania, Australia. It begins its journey as a freshwater river in the Central Highlands at Lake St Clair, descending over 700 metres (2,300 ft) across a distance of more than 200 kilometres (120 mi). At the settlement of New Norfolk in the Derwent Valley its waters become brackish, flowing through Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania, its seawater estuary eventually empties into Storm Bay and the Tasman Sea.
Historically, the banks of the Derwent were covered by forests and frequented by Aboriginal Tasmanians. With the arrival of European settlers, the area saw agricultural development and the construction of dams for hydroelectricity generation during the 20th century.
Today, the Derwent's catchment area is characterised by agriculture, forestry, and hydropower generation. It serves as a vital source of water for irrigation and urban supply, notably providing a significant portion of Hobart's water needs. The river is also crucial for recreation, supporting activities such as boating, fishing, and leisure along its banks. Additionally, it facilitates marine transportation and various industrial activities, playing a central role in Tasmania's economy and lifestyle.
The upper part of the river was named after the River Derwent, Cumbria by British Commodore John Hayes who explored it in 1793. The name is Brythonic Celtic for "valley thick with oaks". Matthew Flinders placed the name "Derwent River" on all of the river. The name "River Derwent" was officially endorsed on 20 May 1959.
The River Derwent valley was inhabited by the Muwinina people for at least 8,000 years before British settlement. Evidence of their occupation is found in many middens along the banks of the river.[citation needed] The first European to chart the river was Bruni d'Entrecasteaux, who named it the Rivière du Nord in 1793. Later that same year, John Hayes explored the river and named it after the River Derwent, which runs past his birthplace of Bridekirk, Cumberland.
When first explored by Europeans, the lower parts of the valley were clad in thick she-oak forests, remnants of which remain in various parts of the lower foreshore.
There was a thriving whaling industry until the 1840s when the industry rapidly declined due to over-exploitation.
Formed by the confluence of the Narcissus and Cuvier rivers within Lake St Clair, the Derwent flows generally southeast over a distance of 187 kilometres (116 mi) to New Norfolk and the estuary portion extends a further 52 kilometres (32 mi) out to the Tasman Sea. Flows average in range from 50 to 140 cubic metres per second (1,800 to 4,900 cu ft/s) and the mean annual flow is 90 cubic metres per second (3,200 cu ft/s).
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River Derwent (Tasmania)
The River Derwent (palawa kani: timtumili minanya) is a significant perennial river and tidal estuary in Tasmania, Australia. It begins its journey as a freshwater river in the Central Highlands at Lake St Clair, descending over 700 metres (2,300 ft) across a distance of more than 200 kilometres (120 mi). At the settlement of New Norfolk in the Derwent Valley its waters become brackish, flowing through Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania, its seawater estuary eventually empties into Storm Bay and the Tasman Sea.
Historically, the banks of the Derwent were covered by forests and frequented by Aboriginal Tasmanians. With the arrival of European settlers, the area saw agricultural development and the construction of dams for hydroelectricity generation during the 20th century.
Today, the Derwent's catchment area is characterised by agriculture, forestry, and hydropower generation. It serves as a vital source of water for irrigation and urban supply, notably providing a significant portion of Hobart's water needs. The river is also crucial for recreation, supporting activities such as boating, fishing, and leisure along its banks. Additionally, it facilitates marine transportation and various industrial activities, playing a central role in Tasmania's economy and lifestyle.
The upper part of the river was named after the River Derwent, Cumbria by British Commodore John Hayes who explored it in 1793. The name is Brythonic Celtic for "valley thick with oaks". Matthew Flinders placed the name "Derwent River" on all of the river. The name "River Derwent" was officially endorsed on 20 May 1959.
The River Derwent valley was inhabited by the Muwinina people for at least 8,000 years before British settlement. Evidence of their occupation is found in many middens along the banks of the river.[citation needed] The first European to chart the river was Bruni d'Entrecasteaux, who named it the Rivière du Nord in 1793. Later that same year, John Hayes explored the river and named it after the River Derwent, which runs past his birthplace of Bridekirk, Cumberland.
When first explored by Europeans, the lower parts of the valley were clad in thick she-oak forests, remnants of which remain in various parts of the lower foreshore.
There was a thriving whaling industry until the 1840s when the industry rapidly declined due to over-exploitation.
Formed by the confluence of the Narcissus and Cuvier rivers within Lake St Clair, the Derwent flows generally southeast over a distance of 187 kilometres (116 mi) to New Norfolk and the estuary portion extends a further 52 kilometres (32 mi) out to the Tasman Sea. Flows average in range from 50 to 140 cubic metres per second (1,800 to 4,900 cu ft/s) and the mean annual flow is 90 cubic metres per second (3,200 cu ft/s).