Paroo River

Infobox_River
river_name = Paroo River


image_size =
caption =
origin =
mouth = confluence with the Darling River
basin_countries = Australia
length = 600 km
elevation =
mouth_elevation =
discharge =
watershed = 1 383 km²

The Paroo River is considered a major tributary of the Darling River in eastern Australia, yet in most years the flow dissipates before it reaches the Darling. It is the last remaining free-flowing river in the northern part of the Murray-Darling Basin. [cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/wetlands/paroo-river-factsheet.html |title=Paroo River wetlands fact sheet |accessdate=2008-05-02 |format= |work= ]

The river has its origin in the gorge country of western Queensland, meanders south and spreads into the vast floodplains of New South Wales, eventually reaching the Paroo overflow lakes. Its overall length is about 600 km.

Paroo River Wetlands

The Paroo River Wetlands in north-western New South Wales are important for large numbers of waterbirds in eastern Australia, including threatened species such as the Freckled Duck and the Australian Painted Snipe.

On 20 September 2007 the Australian Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull, announced that the Australian government was adding the Paroo River Wetlands to those listed under the Ramsar Convention as wetlands of international importance, making them Australia's 65th Ramsar site. [ [http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/env/2007/pubs/mr20sep07.pdf Media Release T195/07 from the Australian Dept of the Environment and Water Resources] ]

ee also

*List of rivers of Australia

References