Ashburton River (Western Australia)

Infobox River
river_name = Ashburton River


caption = Ashburton River at Nanutarra
origin = Pilbara region
mouth = Indian Ocean 45 km ESE of Onslow
basin_countries = Australia
length = convert|680|km|mi|0|lk=on
elevation =
discharge =
watershed = 66,850 km²

The Ashburton River is located within the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The river mouth with the Indian Ocean is located 45 km ESE of the town of Onslow. The river crosses the North West Coastal Highway at Nanutarra. The river has a length of approximately 680 km. The river basin covers an area of 66,850 km² and includes the towns of Paraburdoo and Tom Price. [cite web|url=http://www.wrc.wa.gov.au/under/statewqassess/Ashburton_home.htm|title=Waters and Rivers commission - Ashburton River Basin|year=2007|accessdate=2007-07-27] .

Tributaries

Some of the tributaries of the Ashburton river include Beasley River, Henry river, Hardey river and Ethel river. [cite web|url=http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/corporate.nsf/web/History+of+river+names+-+H|title=Landgate - History of River names|year=2007|accessdate=2007-07-27] .

History

The township of Onslow used to be located at the mouth of the Ashburton river where a jetty was used as the town's and region's port, but once the new deep water port facility was completed at Beadon point (15km north of the old townsite) the townsite was moved. [cite web|url=http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/corporate.nsf/web/History+of+country+town+names+-+o|title=Landgate - History of country town names - O|year=2007|accessdate=2007-07-27]

Fauna

The river supports a wide variety of fish including barramundi and Mangrove Jack. [cite web|url=http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/media/parks_and_forests/parks/wac_animals.pdf|title=EPA - Animals of Walkabout Creek|year=2007|accessdate=2007-07-27] The occasional salt water crocodile is also spotted in the river. [cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/australia/wa/northwa/200606/s1652578.htm|title=ABC News - Croc sighted in Ashburton River|year=2007|accessdate=2007-07-27] Bird species such as Back swans, the Striated Heron [cite web|url=http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Striated_Heron?bird_birdforum_o__session=b075dc6b84797afd582e5db864e9f3ca|title=Bird Forum - Striated Heron|year=2007|accessdate=2007-07-27] , Australia bustard and Bush Stonecurlew can be found along the rivers banks.

References