By the following year almost 200 Europeans had settled on the rivers banks, growing to 500,000 people by 1860 once gold was discovered at one of the rivers tributaries in Warrandyte. Originally called Birrarung by the Wurundjeri, the current name was mistranslated from another Wurundjeri term in the Boonwurrung language; Yarro-yarro, meaning "ever-flowing".[1][2]. However, it took another 32 years for European explorers to visit the river. occasional brown trout and river blackfish. The Yarra River is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape that includes traditional Country of the Wurundjeri People. On arriving in sight of the river, the two natives who were with me, pointing to the river, called out, 'Yarra Yarra', which at the time I imagined to be its name; but I afterwards learnt that the words were what they used to designate a waterfall, as they afterwards gave the same designation to a small fall in the river Werribee, as we crossed it on our way back to Indented Head. The strong brown, muddy colour of the river is caused by clay soils. Explore Nature's Heaven - Royal Botanic Gardens. Stokes River Tributary of Glenelg River. The lowest section is an estuary where ocean water and salt travel upstream for about 10 kilometers. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Every few years, the Gold Prospectors put out a book of all the land claims that members can prospect for gold. This reduced the river's flow to around 50%, where it sits today. Its marshlands were covered over to prevent . From there, continuously weed out the bigger rocks and pebbles. The Yarra River is Victorias 10th longest river, flowing for about 242 kilometers from its source in the Eastern Highlands to its mouth at Hobsons Bay. Their discovery sparked one of the most frantic gold rushes in history. The current bridge was constructed in 1888. [36] Dolphins have been known to venture upstream as far as South Yarra,[37] and serve as an example of the increased salinity of the river's lower reaches. Widening and dams, like the Upper Yarra Reservoir have helped protect Melbourne from major flooding. The majority of waste from homes and industries flowed into street channels and on to local rivers and creeks which became open sewers. Below Dights Falls at Yarra Bend Park in inner Melbourne, the river becomes increasingly estuarine as it passes along the southern side of the central business district. For the falls traditionally known as Yarra Yarra, see, Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 09:38, "Yarra River: 30146: Historical Information", "In four years, 179 tonnes of garbage was pulled out of the Yarra", "Yarra Strategic Plan (Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo) | Melbourne Water", "Port Phillip Survey 1957-1963: The Geology & Geomorphology", https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1878NoC15.pdf, "Governor Bourke's Proclamation 1835 (UK)", "Melbourne flood Elizabeth Street, February 1972, Neville Bowler", "Garrett approves Port Phillip Bay dredging", "Port Phillip and Westernport Regional River Health Strategy - Yarra catchment", "Chemicals in Melbourne's Yarra River created a health risk, says report", Rivers, wetlands, bays Port Phillip and Westernport, Mr Ian Penrose, Yarra Riverkeepers Association, Sustainable Cities Round Table/ Future Melbourne forum. The Melbourne Docklands urban renewal project began in 2000, comprising mixed use residential and commercial land and recreational boating moors along the river at the disused Victoria Dock and on the south bank of the Yarra. The lower stretch of the river from Docklands to the Melbourne Cricket Ground was part of the final path of the Queen's Baton Relay of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. 4. La Camera, Southgate Some 65 professionals participated, Ocean Protect are excited to announce that we now manufacture and supply sandy loam filter media for conventional biofiltration systems., Ocean Protect is proud to be a sponsor for an upcoming franc.sydney 2022 conference, being held from 29th 30th, AWA Water E-journal Paper on Filterra Biofiltration Performance, Bioretention Unfiltered - Brisbane Breakfast Event, Ocean Protect attends the South Australian Stormwater Symposium 2022, Ocean Protect Now Manufacture 'Sandy Loam' Biofiltration Media. Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest. Indeed, starting in 1905, the annual Henley Regatta on the Yarra became a fixture of . Its waters spread diseases like diphtheria, dysentery, typhoid and scarlet fever, until the Werribee Farm was built to treat sewage in 1897. Stockyard Creek. The manna gums grow along the upper reaches and provide food for the koalas. On the southern side of the river near exists a number of university and private school rowing clubs who use the river for recreational sports. There's also a lot of rubbish in the Yarra near the city. In fact, new research commissioned by Ocean Protect, shows Victorian residents are extremely concerned about marine and waterway health in relation to population growth over half rated it as their number one concern from a total list of 12 common concerns including increased traffic, housing density, competition for jobs and possible reduced water supply. [citation needed]. The Yarra River also served as an important irrigation water source for the early European settlers. As rivers, lakes and reservoirs are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. In the city's early days the Yarra was one of two major ports, the other being Sandridge (now Port Melbourne), but the Yarra was preferred due to the direct access to the town's main streets and was the location of Customs House (now the Immigration Museum). The first step is finding the right spot in the river where the gold might collect, such as a crook in the bedrock, idle pools, log jams, inside corners of rivers or spaces between boulders.. From Warburton, farms begin to emerge on the banks of the Yarra River, including dairy and beef farms. The river is fed by a number of small unnamed creeks and streams in the Yarra Ranges as well as 49 named tributaries, most of which are creeks. A four-year-long boom soon followed, and today Gila River is one of the more famous gold panning locations in the state. Enjoy the leafy grounds and abundant wildlife while strolling or biking its many trails. The river's resources were utilised sustainably by the Wurundjeri until the arrival of European colonists in the early-mid-19th century. The river provided food and water and places for spiritual activities like burial grounds and birthplaces for the indigenous groups. The first permanent crossing over the river was Princes Bridge, which first opened as a wooden trestle bridge in 1844. It is the most westerly snow fed river in Australia. This iconic river flows 242 kilometres from its source on Mt Baw Baw in the Yarra Ranges National Park, north-east of Melbourne, all the way to Port Phillip Bay. The Yarra River has two other names the upside down river and Birrarung. 5. Not recommend. Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. The area in front of old Customs House is a former turning basin for ships. . The community and authorities need to come together to take a closer interest in the Yarras ecology. Most features have been named after translated Woiwurrung phrases or have European, particularly British, origins. St Arnaud Creek Tributary of Carapooee Creek. A small creek (2-3 m wide) with predominantly fast, shallow water, 10-30 cm deep, gravel substrate. Situated to the south of Yarra River, the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens have some of the most exquisite flora and fauna to offer up to nature aficionados. [21] Early industry located along the river contributed great amounts of pollution such as dangerous chemicals, grease, oil and heavy metals. By the 1960s there was a growing awareness of the neglect of the Yarra amongst some residents of Melbourne, spawning various community groups and "friends of" organisations to protect the remnants of the river's ecology. The basin is home to over 190 bird species, including honeyeaters, waterbirds, birds of prey, and songbirds. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Since its establishment in 2004, YRKA has delivered hundreds of presentations and lectures, been in over 200 media appearances and provide on-water inspection tours to over 200 community leaders, business leaders, and politicians. The upper river section flows through mountainous and forested areas that have been protected for more than 100 years to ensure the river provides quality drinking water. Elemental to Melbourne's identity, the Yarra River is one of Victoria's iconic waterways. The Main Yarra Trail is one of Melbourne's most iconic routes, following the Birrarung Yarra River from the north eastern suburbs to the city. The dam is located in Reefton, the first town the river flows through from its source. Upstream of Launching Place the river becomes quite narrow and recreational use is limited. Water quality is good in the upper catchment but deteriorates downstream, due to agriculture, urban development and the resulting stormwater pollution. Main food source for Indigenous Australians pre-European history: The Yarra River played a pivotal role for the Wurundjeri people, serving as their epicentre for food, meeting and camping. The facility was situated inside Warrandyte State Park, from where the spillover until June 2015 flowed into the river and downstream towards Melbourne. The current course dates back to 1886 when a canal devised by British engineer Sir John Coode was cut from west of Flinders Street to below its junction with the Maribyrnong. With the Avon, Canning and Helena Rivers as its main tributaries, the Swan river's lower reaches are deep and wide while the upper reaches very shallow and narrow. Enthroned by gold, Melbourne quickly became Australias largest city. Yarra Ranges Shire Council Flood information for the Yarra Ranges Shire Council, encompassing local flood guides and a Municipal Flood Emergency Plan. More serious miners might consider investing in a suction dredge and sluice box where legal that allows them to process much more material. An example of this is the tunnel at Pound Bend in Warrandyte. The project was controversial and strict regulations were enacted. Steavenson River Tributary of Acheron River. Growing high density residential development in the lower reaches in the early 1990s coincided with minor government programs such as the installation of litter traps. [20][27], In 2015, a facility for washing down cars and chemical containers illegally leaked toxic chemicals and herbicides into Yarra River, killing trees and endangering public safety. Surround yourself with the majestic views of Melbourne's cityscape views on the renowned Yarra River. Snowy River. The park features steep river escarpments, open woodlands, playing fields and golf courses. It was utilised and managed sustainably by the Wurundjeri for around 40,000 years; however, since the European settlement and use of the river in the mid-19th century, its geography has changed substantially reflecting the unsustainable use of the river and surrounding resources. Swamp scrub occurs in permanently wet areas, especially in the catchments south and east. Image compiled by J. Blundell, from State Library Victoria. Early industries grew along the banks of the river, rapidly degrading the water quality. Ships would use one side of the falls while the other side provided fresh drinking water for the town and a convenient sewer. The Yarra River begins its journey through Melbourne at Chirnside Park, marking the start of its middle reaches. Medium gold in hue, this full-bodied Chardonnay starts on the quiet side, but after time in glass it opens to reveal citrus, melon, mint and salted nut characters, backed by a prominent line of . And, to many locals, where happy memories of personal pilgrimages, peaceful summer evenings, and days exploring were made. [citation needed] or 'river of mists'. Swanson Dock was constructed between 1966 and 1972 equipped for modern container shipping. The river's major tributaries are the Plenty River, Merri Creek, Darebin Creek, Diamond Creek, Gardiners Creek, Mullum Mullum Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek. The river was utilised primarily for agriculture by early European settlers. In 1957, the Upper Yarra Reservoir was constructed, primarily to alleviate flooding downstream. A dropoff works just like any of the other gold traps; as the water runs into the dropoff, the volume of the river suddenly expands massively, acting as a brake on the current. The channel immediately downstream of Charles Grimes Bridge in the vicinity of Yarra's Edge Marina has reduced water depth as a result of sediment build up. The middle and lower sections have been mostly cleared for agriculture and urban and industrial development, eroding the clay soils and resulting in the rivers muddy colour. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Small historical bridges can be found further downstream including the Banksia Street, Fitzsimons Lane and Warrandyte Bridges. In the 1840s a weir was built at Dights Falls to power a flour mill and to give some control over the river downstream from there. The riverflows for about 242 kilometers from the Yarra Ranges of the Great Dividing Range to Port Philip at Hobsons Bay. It was feared that dredging would disturb heavy metals and other toxic sediments mostly deposited during Melbourne's industrial era. EXPLORE THE YARRA RIVER: LA CAMERA. The clay soil in the region breaks up into tiny particles and dissipates throughout the whole of the river. From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. The lower stretches of the Yarra are where Victoria's state capital Melbourne was established in 1835, and today metropolitan Greater Melbourne dominates and influences the landscape of its lower reaches. Our iconic waterways are the lifeblood of Melbournes natural landscape learn how you can help look after them. 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