Huon River

Huon
River
Lower reaches of the Huon River in winter
Name origin: Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec, a French explorer
Country	Australia
State	Tasmania
Regions	South-west, South-east Tasmania
Tributaries
- left	Weld River, Russell River, Little Denison River, Mountain River
- right	Anne River, Cracroft River, Picton River, Arve River
Cities	Judbury, Ranelagh, Huonville, Franklin, Cygnet (Port Cygnet)
Landmark	Huon Valley
Source	Marsden Range
- location	Southwest National Park below Junction Hill
- elevation	578 m (1,896 ft)
- coordinates
Mouth	D’Entrecasteaux Channel
- location	Surveyors Bay
- coordinates
Length	174 km (108 mi)
Width	5 km (3 mi)
National park	Southwest National Park
Reservoir	Lake Pedder
Location of the Huon River mouth in Tasmania
Wikimedia Commons: Huon River

The Huon River is a perennial river located in the south-west and south-east regions of Tasmania, Australia. At 174 kilometres (108 mi) in length, the Huon River is the fourth longest in Tasmania with its course flowing east through the fertile Huon Valley and empties into the D’Entrecasteaux Channel before flowing into the Tasman Sea.

Location and features

The Huon River rises below Junction Hill in the Southwest National Park with much of its upper catchment drawn from the Marsden Range and associated peaks including Mount Anne, Mount Bowes, and Mount Wedge. The river flows generally south through the south-eastern portion of Lake Pedder and is impounded at the Scotts Peak Dam. Thereafter, the river flows generally south-east to the Tahune Airwalk. From its source to mouth, the river is joined by 26 tributaries including the Anne, Cracroft, Picton, Weld, Arve, Russell, Little Denison and Mountain rivers.

After passing through the rural township of Glen Huon the river flows down rapids to merge with the sea water and become tidal. From there it flows through Huonville, Franklin, and Cygnet (Port Cygnet). When the river meets its mouth and empties into the D’Entrecasteaux Channel at Surveyors Bay where the river is more than 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) wide. In the lower reaches, the average depth of wide river is 3 metres (9.8 ft) and maximum depth is 12 metres (39 ft).

Etymology

The river is named after the French explorer Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec.

See also

• List of rivers of Tasmania

External links

• Huon Valley.net.au