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North Para River

Coordinates: 34°36′S 138°45′E / 34.600°S 138.750°E / -34.600; 138.750
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

North Para
North Para River near Rowland Flat
North Para River is located in South Australia
North Para River
Location of the river mouth in South Australia
Location
CountryAustralia
StateSouth Australia
RegionBarossa Valley
TownsGawler
Physical characteristics
SourceBarossa Ranges
 • locationFlaxman Valley 34°36'49.35"S 139° 3'30.97"E
 • elevation399 m (1,309 ft)
Mouthconfluence with the South Para River to form the Gawler River
 • location
at Gawler
 • coordinates
34°36′S 138°45′E / 34.600°S 138.750°E / -34.600; 138.750
 • elevation
48 m (157 ft)
Length79 km (49 mi)
Basin features
River systemGawler River
Tributaries 
 • leftAngaston Creek, Jacobs Creek, Lyndoch Creek
 • rightGreenock Creek, Walkers Creek
[1]

The North Para River is a river located in the Barossa Valley of the Australian state of South Australia.

The river's name is based directly on the Kaurna word pari which means river.[2] The "north" descriptor distinguishes it from the South Para River with which it merges.

Course and features

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The North Para River rises in the Barossa Ranges near Eden Valley and follows a meandering path through the Barossa Valley, firstly north to the east of Angaston, then arcs around to the southwest to pass through the towns of Nuriootpa and Tanunda, before merging with the South Para River in Gawler forming the Gawler River. The river descends 351 metres (1,152 ft) over its 79-kilometre (49 mi) course.[1]

The North Para River catchment is one of the key watersheds in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges. It plays a very important role in the economy of South Australia, providing much of the water used by viticulture in the Barossa Valley. Its waters are also used for livestock production, cereal cropping and recreation.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Map of North Para River, SA". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  2. ^ Manning, George (1990), "Place Names of South Australia: Para", Manning Index of South Australian History, State Library of South Australia, retrieved 31 May 2017