Markham River

Markham
The Markham in its entirety, looking due West from near its source, its river mouth in the lower left
Location of the Markham River
Location
CountryPapua New Guinea
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationFinisterre Range, Papua New Guinea
 • coordinates6°6′30″S 146°11′30″E / 6.10833°S 146.19167°E / -6.10833; 146.19167
 • elevation475 m (1,558 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Huon Gulf, Papua New Guinea
 • coordinates
6°44′20″S 146°58′5″E / 6.73889°S 146.96806°E / -6.73889; 146.96806
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length180 km (110 mi)
Basin size12,766 km2 (4,929 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • locationNear mouth
 • average385 m3/s (13,600 cu ft/s)[1] to 546 m3/s (19,300 cu ft/s)[2]
 • maximum4,000 m3/s (140,000 cu ft/s)

The Markham River is a river in eastern Papua New Guinea. It originates in the Finisterre Range and flows for 180 km (110 mi) to empty into the Huon Gulf at Lae.

The river was named in 1873 by Captain John Moresby, R.N., in honour of Sir Clements Markham, then Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society.[3] A single-lane steel bridge, 1690 feet long – by far the longest bridge built in Papua until that time – was opened in January 1955.[4]

  1. ^ Ernst, Löffler (1977). "Geomorphology of Papua New Guinea" (PDF).
  2. ^ Christer, Nilsson; Catherine, Reidy, Liermann; Mats, Dynesius; Carmen, Revenga (2005). "Fragmentation and Flow Regulation of the World's Large River System". doi:10.1126/science.1107887.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Souter, Gavin (1963). New Guinea: The Last Unknown. Angus & Robertson. p. 77. ISBN 0-207-94627-2.
  4. ^ Staff writers (31 January 1955). "N.G.'s Biggest Bridge Opened". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 19 July 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon