Derwent River

The Derwent is a river in Tasmania, Australia. It was named after the River Derwent, Cumbria, by British Commodore John Hayes who explored it in 1793. The name is Brythonic Celtic for "valley thick with oaks". John Hays placed the name "Derwent River" only in the upper part of the river. Matthew Flinders placed the name on all of the river.

River Derwent timtumili minanya (Mouheneenner language)
Sunrise over the River Derwent
Location of the river mouth in Tasmania
Location
Country	Australia
State	Tasmania
Cities	Derwent Bridge, New Norfolk, Hobart
Physical characteristics
Source	Lake St Clair
- location	Central Highlands
Source confluence	Narcissus River Cuvier River
- location	Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
- coordinates	42°7′12″S 146°12′37″E
- elevation	738 m (2,421 ft)
Mouth	Storm Bay
- location	Hobart
- coordinates	43°3′3″S 147°22′38″E
- elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	239 km (149 mi)
Basin size	9,832 km2 (3,796 sq mi)
Discharge
- location	Storm Bay
- average	90 m3/s (3,200 cu ft/s)
- minimum	50 m3/s (1,800 cu ft/s)
- maximum	140 m3/s (4,900 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Tributaries
- left	Nive River, Dee River, River Ouse, Clyde River, Jordan River
- right	Repulse River, Tyenna River, Styx River, Plenty River, Lachlan River
Natural lakes	Saint Clair Lagoon; Lake Saint Clair

The banks of the Derwent were once covered by forests and occupied by Aborigines. European settlers farmed the area and during the 20th century many dams were built on its tributaries.

Derwent River (facing south), at the Bridgewater causeway.

Derwent river as seen from Poimenna Reserve, Austins Ferry

Other websites

• Derwent Estuary Program
• Upper Derwent Issues Archived 2006-09-19 at the Wayback Machine