Maranoa River

Maranoa
River
280px Downstream of the Maranoa River at Mitchell
Country	Australia
State	Queensland
Region	South West Queensland
Part of	Darling River catchment, Murray–Darling basin
Tributaries
- left	Merivale River
Source	Consuelo Tableland
Source confluence	East and West branches of the Maranoa River
- location	Carnarvon National Park
- elevation	574 m (1,883 ft)
- coordinates
Mouth	confluence with the Balonne River
- location	Lake Kajarabie
- elevation	207 m (679 ft)
- coordinates
Length	519 km (322 mi)
Basin	20,039 km2 (7,737 sq mi)
National park	Carnarvon National Park
Reservoir	Lake Kajarabie
Location of the Maranoa River mouth in Queensland

The Maranoa River, part of the Murray-Darling basin, is a river situated in South West Queensland, Australia.

Course and features

Formed by the confluence of the west and east branches of the river, the Maranoa River rises on the Consuelo Tableland in the Carnarvon National Park. The valleys in the river's catchment area are broad rather than gorge-like as in the nearby Carnarvon Gorge, with isolated bluffs and pillars of sandstone on sandy plains. The Maranoa passes through Mitchell and flows south towards St George. The river reaches its confluence with the Balonne River north of St George. The Balonne eventually flows into the Darling River (via a few branches), so it contributes to the Murray-Darling Basin. From source to mouth, the Maranoa is joined by 31 tributaries including the Merivale River and descends 366 metres (1,201 ft) over its 519-kilometre (322 mi) course.

The Warrego Highway crosses the river at Mitchell.

The Neil Turner Weir was built on the river in 1984. It provides limited supplies for irrigation purposes as well supplying drinking water for the town of Mitchell. It also regulates streamflow and has recreational uses.

Major flooding on the river occurred in 1990.

Popular culture

A number of Australian folksongs (such as Sandy Maranoa and The Maranoa Drovers) refer to this river.

See also

• List of rivers of Queensland