South Para River

The South Para River is a river located in the Mount Lofty Ranges northeast of Adelaide in the Australian state of South Australia.

South Para
The South Para River, viewed from Gawler Bridge
Location of the river mouth in South Australia
Location
CountryAustralia
StateSouth Australia
RegionMount Lofty Ranges
TownsGawler
Physical characteristics
SourceMount Lofty Ranges
 • locationnear Mount Crawford
 • elevation459 m (1,506 ft)
Mouthconfluence with the North Para River to form the Gawler River
 • location
at Gawler
 • coordinates
34°36′S 138°45′E
 • elevation
48 m (157 ft)
Length48 km (30 mi)
Basin features
River systemGawler River
Tributaries 
 • leftWatts Gully Creek
 • rightMalcolm Creek
ReservoirsWarren Reservoir; South Para Reservoir
[1]

The river's name is based directly on the Kaurna word pari which means river.[2] The "south" descriptor distinguishes it from the North Para River with which it merges.

Course and features

The South Para River rises in the Mount Lofty Ranges near Mount Crawford and Kersbrook and flows northwest through the Mount Lofty Ranges, passing through the Warren Reservoir and the South Para Reservoir, before reaching its confluence with the North Para River in Gawler to form the Gawler River. The South Para River descends 411 metres (1,348 ft) over its 47.5-kilometre (29.5 mi) course.[1]

The South Para River catchment is one of the key watersheds in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges. It plays an important role in the functioning of South Australia, providing much of the water used by Adelaide's domestic supply in the Northern Adelaide area. The rainfall in the South Para River catchment varies from 775 millimetres (30.5 in) per annum in the north-east of the catchment to 675 millimetres (26.6 in) per annum near Williamstown. Its waters are also used for livestock production, cereal cropping and recreation.

gollark: What's the blue line at the end of Menger? There should be a road there.
gollark: I mean, strictly speaking I could, but no.
gollark: Can't.
gollark: Really should name that last one.
gollark: No, I mean between Untilted, Xyzzy and Name Wanted.

See also

References
  1. "Map of South Para River, SA". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  2. Manning, George (1990), "Place Names of South Australia: Para", Manning Index of South Australian History, State Library of South Australia, retrieved 31 May 2017


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