River Derwent (Tasmania)
The River Derwent is a river located in Tasmania, Australia. It is also known by the palawa kani name timtumili minanya. The river rises in the state's Central Highlands at Lake St Clair, and descends more than 700 metres (2,300 ft) over a distance of more than 200 kilometres (120 mi), flowing through Hobart, the state's capital city, before emptying into Storm Bay and flowing into the Tasman Sea. The banks of the Derwent were once covered by forests and occupied by Aboriginal Tasmanians. European settlers farmed the area and during the 20th century many dams were built on its tributaries for the generation of hydro-electricity.
| River Derwent | |
|---|---|
Sunrise over the River Derwent | |
Location of the river mouth in Tasmania | |
| Native name | timtumili minanya (Mouheneenner language) |
| Location | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Tasmania |
| Cities | Derwent Bridge, New Norfolk, Hobart |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Lake St Clair |
| • location | Central Highlands |
| Source confluence |
|
| • location | Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park |
| • coordinates | 42°7′12″S 146°12′37″E |
| • elevation | 738 m (2,421 ft) |
| Mouth | Storm Bay |
• location | Hobart |
• coordinates | 43°3′3″S 147°22′38″E |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 239 km (149 mi) |
| Basin size | 9,832 km2 (3,796 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Storm Bay |
| • average | 90 m3/s (3,200 cu ft/s) |
| • minimum | 50 m3/s (1,800 cu ft/s) |
| • maximum | 140 m3/s (4,900 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Nive River, Dee River, River Ouse, Clyde River, Jordan River |
| • right | Repulse River, Tyenna River, Styx River, Plenty River, Lachlan River |
| Natural lakes | Saint Clair Lagoon; Lake Saint Clair |
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Agriculture, forestry, hydropower generation and fish hatcheries dominate catchment land use. The Derwent is also an important source of water for irrigation and water supply. Most of Hobart's water supply is taken from the lower River Derwent. Nearly 40% of Tasmania's population lives around the estuary's margins and the Derwent is widely used for recreation, boating, recreational fishing, marine transportation and industry.