Arthur River (Western Australia)

This article is about the river. For the town, see Arthur River, Western Australia.

Arthur River
Arthur River from bridge over the Boyup Brook-Arthur Road
Arthur River (Western Australia) is located in Australia
Arthur River (Western Australia)
Location of mouth
Location
CountryAustralia
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationArthur River Nature Reserve north of Wagin
 • elevation299 metres (981 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
confluence with Balgarup River to form the Blackwood River
 • elevation
213 metres (699 ft)[1]
Length140 kilometres (87 mi)[2]

The Arthur River is located in the south-west of Western Australia. The river was named by Governor James Stirling in October 1835 after Arthur Trimmer, who was a member of the exploring expedition led by Stirling.[2]

The headwaters of the Arthur River is located about 30 km (19 mi) north of Wagin in the Arthur River Nature Reserve near the small settlement of Arthur River on Albany Highway.

The longest tributary of Arthur River is Beaufort River but other tributaries include Hillman River, Kojonup Brook, Narrogin Brook and Yilliminning River.

The river flows in a generally south-westerly direction until it meets with the Balgarup River to form the Blackwood River.

The river flooded in 1895 following heavy rains when the swollen river rose swiftly causing several near drownings among the settlers who lived along the banks at the township of Arthur River.[3] The bridge near Piesseville was left underwater following heavy rains near Wagin cause the river the rise downstream.[4] More flooding occurred in 1939 rendering the bridge at Arthur River impassable and closing it for two days while repair crews worked to make the bridge usable again.[5]

  1. ^ "Bonzle Digital Atlas – Map of Arthur River, WA". 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2008.
  2. ^ a b "History of river names – A". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2008.
  3. ^ "Arthur River News". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 14 September 1895. p. 11. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  4. ^ "Wagin suffers". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 10 March 1934. p. 18. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  5. ^ "Repairs to roads". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 28 July 1939. p. 22. Retrieved 21 April 2013.