Campaspe River

The Campaspe River, an inland intermittent river of the north–central catchment, part of the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the lower Riverina bioregion and Central Highlands and Wimmera regions of the Australian state of Victoria. The headwaters of the Campaspe River rise on the northern slopes of the Great Dividing Range and descend to flow north into the Murray River, Australia's longest river, near Echuca.

Not to be confused with Campaspe River (Queensland).

Campaspe
Campaspe River at Elmore
Course of the Campaspe River in Victoria
Etymology	Campaspe, a mistress of Alexander the Great.[1]
Native name	Yalka, Yalooka, Boregam, Yerrin[2][3]
Location
Country	Australia
State	Victoria
Region	Riverina bioregion (IBRA), Central Highlands, Wimmera
Local government areas	Greater Bendigo City, Campaspe
Towns	Kyneton, Redesdale, Elmore, Rochester, Echuca
Physical characteristics
Source	Great Dividing Range
• location	Wombat State Forest near Bullengarook
• coordinates	37°25′13″S 144°28′38″E
• elevation	679 m (2,228 ft)
Mouth	confluence with the Murray River
• location	Echuca
• coordinates	36°7′5″S 144°43′36″E
• elevation	98 m (322 ft)
Length	232 km (144 mi)
Basin size	4,179 km^2 (1,614 sq mi)
Discharge
• location	Echuca
• average	7 m^3/s (250 cu ft/s)
Basin features
River system	Murray-Darling basin
Tributaries
• left	Coliban River, Mosquito Creek (Campaspe River), Axe Creek
• right	Pipers Creek (Campaspe River), Stone Jug Creek, Forest Creek (Campaspe River), Mount Pleasant Creek
[4][5]

Location and features

From its source in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range below Red Hill, the Campaspe River rises in the Wombat State Forest northwest of Bullengarook and southwest of Macedon near Ashbourne and Firth Park, a local camping ground and historical area. The river then flows west of the township of Woodend and continues north through the town of Kyneton. The middle reaches of the river are dominated by Lake Eppalock, a constructed reservoir. The Coliban River, the most significant tributary of the Campaspe, also flows into Lake Eppalock. Towns located on the river in this area include Redesdale located just south of Eppalock and Axedale, located just below Eppalock. The towns of Elmore and Rochester lie on the river's lower reaches. The river meets its confluence with the Murray River west of the town of Echuca, located adjacent to the state border between Victoria and New South Wales.[4][5]

In addition to the Coliban River, the Campaspe River is joined by six minor tributaries and passes through the Campaspe Weir. The river descends 581 metres (1,906 ft) over its 232-kilometre (144 mi) course.[4][5]

The river is crossed three times by the Calder Freeway near Kyneton; and by the McIvor Highway near Eppalock. The Midland Highway and Northern Highway duplex crosses the river at Elmore and the Murray Valley Highway and Northern Highway duplex crosses the river at Echuca.

History

Indigenous Australians lived in the catchment for millennia.

Europeans arrived in the upper catchment area in 1834. After European settlement, native vegetation was removed from part of the area, which was replanted with willow trees and hedgerows of hawthorn bushes, some of the latter remaining today. Over a number of years the willow growth has been progressively cleared and eradicated by local groups of volunteers. The willow-free parts of the river have been subsequently replanted with indigenous species. Walking routes and cycle tracks have been installed along one bank of the river, creating a sustainable leisure resource for the town.

Etymology

As the river is relatively long, indigenous peoples from various cultural groups lived near the river course. In the indigenous Yorta Yorta language, the name for the river is Yalka or Yalooka, meaning "dry leaf." In the Daungwurrung language the name for the river is Boregam, with no clearly defined meaning. While in the Daungwurrung and Ngurai-illamwurrung language, the river is named Yerrin, with no clearly defined meaning.[2][3][6]

It was named by Major Mitchell in 1836 for Campaspe, a mistress of Alexander the Great.[1]

See also

• List of rivers of Victoria

References

1. Mitchell, Thomas (1838). Three Expeditions into the interior of Eastern Australia. Vol. 2. London: Boone., entry for 5 October 1836
2. "Campaspe River (entry 614570)". VICNAMES. Government of Victoria. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
3. Clark, Ian; Heydon, Toby (2011). "Avoca River: Traditional Names". Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages.
4. "Map of Campaspe River, VIC". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
5. "Map of Campaspe River". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
6. Blair's Guide, Travel Guide to Victoria and Melbourne (6th ed.). Victoria: Universal Press. 1994. p. 301. ISBN 0-7319-0608-X.

External links

• "Campaspe River: Resource Guide" (PDF). Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Victorian Government (PDF). North Central Catchment Management Authority. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
• "Loddon–Campaspe". Murray-Darling Basin Authority. Australian Government. 2014. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014.
• "Campaspe River longitudinal profile" (PDF). Murray-Darling Basin Authority (PDF). Australian Government. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2014.
• "Campaspe". Our rivers. Environment Victoria.