The Koolatong River is a river in the Northern Territory, Australia.

Koolatong
Koolatong River is located in Northern Territory
Koolatong River
Location of the Koolatong River mouth in the Northern Territory
Location
CountryAustralia
TerritoryNorthern Territory
Physical characteristics
SourceMitchell Ranges
 • locationArnhem Land, Australia
Mouth 
 • location
Australia
 • coordinates
13°12′37″S 135°55′26″E / 13.21028°S 135.92389°E / -13.21028; 135.92389
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length92 km (57 mi)
Basin size7,913 km2 (3,055 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average25.4 m3/s (900 cu ft/s)
[1]

Rising in the Mitchell Ranges the river initially flows north then turns east across the uninhabited plains eventually discharging into the Saint Nicholas Inlet and the Blue Mud Bay then into the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The catchment occupies an area of 7,913 square kilometres (3,055 sq mi) and is situated between the Buckingham River catchment to the north, the Walker River catchment to the south and the Goyder River catchment to the west.[2] The river has a mean annual outflow of 800 gigalitres (1.046×109 cu yd).[3]

The estuary formed at the river mouth is in near pristine condition.[4] The estuary occupies an area of 23.7 hectares (59 acres) of open water. It is river dominated in nature with a tide dominated delta having a single channel and is surrounded by an area of 51.3 hectares (127 acres) covered with mangroves.[5]

The traditional owners of the area are the Murngin, also known as the Yolngu peoples.[6]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Map of Koolatong River, NT". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  2. ^ "Drainage Divisions" (PDF). Commonwealth of Australia. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  3. ^ "Koolatong River" (PDF). TRaCK. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  4. ^ "Australian Catchment, River and Estuary Assessment" (PDF). Natural Heritage Trust. 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 February 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  5. ^ "Koolatong River, NT". Australian online Coastal Information. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  6. ^ "Murngin". AusAnthrop Australian Aboriginal tribal database. Ausanthrop. Archived from the original on 5 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.