Dawson River (Queensland)

Dawson River
Origin	Carnarvon Range
Mouth	confluence with the Mackenzie River
Basin countries	Australia
Length	400 miles
Basin area	50,800 km²

Dawson River is a river in eastern Queensland, Australia. It originates in the Carnarvon Range and flows southeast for approximately 400 miles^{[citation needed]} where it meets the Mackenzie River to become the Fitzroy River, north of Duaringa.

The towns of Baralaba, Theodore and Taroom lie on the banks of the Dawson River. Several weirs have been constructed along the river to provide water for cotton and dairy farming in the region. The river catchment, including the Don River and its tributaries, covers an area of 50,800 km².^[1]

Both the Capricorn Highway, Leichhardt Highway and the Dawson Highway cross this river. Expedition National Park and the Precipice National Park are protected areas along the Dawson River.

The area was explored in 1844 by Ludwig Leichhardt, and the river was named for Robert Dawson, one of the expedition's backers.

2010–2011 Queensland floods

The Dawson River was one of a number of Queensland rivers involved in the 2010–2011 Queensland floods. As the river inundated the town of Theodore it was completely evacuated, a first in Queensland's history.^[2]

See also

Australia portal

• List of rivers of Australia

References

1. ^ "Dawson River". Department of Environment and Resource Management. 28 September 2009. http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/science/state_of_rivers/dawson.html. Retrieved 27 September 2011. 
2. ^ Roseanne Barrett (8 January 2011). "Returning home to mud and memories lost". The Australian (News Limited). http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/returning-home-to-mud-and-memories-lost/story-e6frg6n6-1225983867563. Retrieved 27 September 2011. 

Coordinates: 24°57′50.05″S 150°04′22.87″E / 24.9639028°S 150.0730194°E / -24.9639028; 150.0730194