Denmark River Explained

Denmark River
Map:
Wikidata:yes
Zoom:11
Frame-Height:300
Stroke-Width:2
Point:none
Stroke-Color:
  1. 0000FF
Id:Q2496032
Source1 Location:near Pardelup
Mouth Location:Wilson Inlet
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1:Australia
Length:60km (40miles)
Source1 Elevation:160m (530feet)[1]
Discharge1 Avg:30584ML/yr[2]
Basin Size:800km2

The Denmark River is located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. The river rises near Pardelup and meanders in a southerly direction until it flows through Denmark into Wilson Inlet (along with the Hay River). The traditional owners of the area are the Noongar people, who know the river as Kwoorabup,[3] meaning the place of the western brush wallaby (place we return to).[4]

The river was given its English name in December 1829 by naval ship's surgeon Thomas Braidwood Wilson after his mentor, naval surgeon Alexander Denmark, Physician of the Fleet, Resident Physician at the Royal Hospital Haslar, and past-Physician to the Mediterranean Fleet. Wilson found the river while exploring the area in company of the native Mokare, John Kent (officer in charge of the Commissariat at King George Sound), two convicts and Private William Gough of the 39th Regiment, while his ship Governor Phillips was being repaired at King George Sound.[5] [6]

A surveyor noted in 1833 that the local Aboriginal people, the Noongar, called the river "Koorrabup" meaning "place of the black swan".[7]

The river flows through Denmark Pipehead Dam. The two tributaries of the river are Scotsdale Brook and Cleerillup Creek.

The southern portion of the river was protected under a management plan of the Shire of Denmark in 2011. The ceremonial site has been used by Noongar people for over 10,000 years as a place of dance, song, marriage preparation, initiation and food gathering.[8] The area has high cultural significance due largely to its totemic significance and creation by the Wagyl in the Dreaming.[9]

Salinity

Historically the Denmark River's water quality declined as a result of land clearing in the catchment area since European settlement. It is estimated that 40% of the river's upper catchment area was cleared and as a result salinity levels increased from 40 mg/L in the 1940s to a peak of 1520 mg/L in 1987 at the Mt Lindesay gauging station.

In 2004 it was announced that salinity levels in the river were decreasing, believed to be the first major river in Australia that had shown a reversal in salinity trends, and that it is possible that the river could provide drinking quality water in the future.[10] [11]

By 2012 average annual salinity levels had dropped to 470 mg/L, below World Health Organization guidelines for drinking water for the first time in nearly 40 years. The improved water quality means Denmark Dam has been returned as a drinking water source and back-up water supply for Denmark.[12]

The drop in salinity is mainly attributed to the revegetation of previously cleared farmland with Tasmanian blue gum plantations.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bonzle Digital Atlas - Map of Denmark River, WA. 2008. 23 November 2008.
  2. Web site: South Coast Rivercare - Denmark River. 2007. 5 November 2010.
  3. Web site: Dual Naming Project. 3 June 2017. Shire of Denmark.
  4. Web site: Plants of the Denmark walk trails:Traditional Noongar Names and Uses. Green Skills Inc.. 28 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170712131022/http://www.greenskills.org.au/pub/pamph/plants.html. 12 July 2017. dead.
  5. Book: Wilson . Thomas Braidwood . Thomas Braidwood Wilson . Narrative of a Voyage Round the World . Sherwood Gilbert & Piper . 1835 . London . 261 .
  6. Book: Pearn . John . A Doctor In The Garden: Nomen Medici In Botanicis : Australian Flora And The World Of Medicine . Amphion Press . 2001 . Brisbane, Qld . 136 . 978-1864995039.
  7. Web site: Denmark Western Australia - Denmark River. 2007. 5 October 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20080721142719/http://www.denmark.com.au/en/AdvancedSearch/default.htm?pname=Denmark%20River&pid=9001020. 21 July 2008. dead.
  8. Web site: Indigenous heritage protected. Toyah Shakespeare. The West Australian. 4 August 2011. 28 May 2017. Yahoo7.
  9. Web site: Denmark River. InHerit. State Heritage Office. 28 May 2017.
  10. Web site: ABC News - Salinity drops in WA's Denmark River. 2004. 8 June 2008.
  11. Web site: Department of Environment - Denmark River Salinity Statement. 2004. 8 June 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080721200946/http://portal.environment.wa.gov.au/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/DOE_ADMIN/POSTER_REPOSITORY/WRT30_POSTER.PDF. 21 July 2008. dead.
  12. Web site: Salinity managed in Denmark River . 24 Nov 2013 . Marmion . Bill . Bill Marmion . 29 October 2012 . Ministerial Media Statements . Government of Western Australia . https://archive.today/20131124023308/http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/pages/StatementDetails.aspx?listName=StatementsBarnett&StatId=6667 . 24 November 2013 . dead .