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The Snowy River
The Snowy River is an iconic Australian waterway and a major river in south eastern Australia. It rises on the slopes of Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's highest mountain, flowing through pristine areas of forest wilderness, eventually emptying into Bass Straight near Orbost in Victoria. Up until the mid 20th century, the river was notable for its high volume of fresh water, wide reach and large rapids. The construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme in the 1960s resulted in the diversion of 99% of the Snowy River's natural flow at Jindabyne Dam. While meeting critical demand for electricity generation and playing a vital irrigation role for farms in the west, flow diversion and other human activities has impacted on the river's health. There has been a build-up of sediment in the river, weed infestation and reduced habitat for native flora and fauna. No other Australian river flows through such diverse vegetation. This includes: alpine meadows and Snow Gum woodlands near Mount Kosciusko; the Montane Grassy Woodlands and grassland of the Monaro Tableland; tall wet mountain forests; warm temperate forests of the lowland floodplain; wetlands and coastal scrubs; and Littoral Rainforests on the coast of Marlo. Much of the Snowy valley and its remnant vegetation and wetlands continue to be important resting, feeding and breeding areas for migratory species from tropical rainforests in south-east Asia and wetland birds from Russia, China and Japan. |
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URL: http://www.waterforrivers.org.au/snowy/2009421894.asp |
