Drainage Basins

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Glenelg Drainage Basin:

The Glenelg River is the main waterway of this drainage basin. It begins at the northeast corner of the drainage basin, travelling in a westerly direction where it is intercepted by the Moora Moora Reservoir and the Rocklands Reservoir. The waterway extends to the west until it reaches Dergholm and then travels to the south towards Nelson where it enters the Southern Ocean.

Glenelg River at Dartmoor

A major tributary of the Glenelg River is the Wannon River. This waterway also begins in the northeast corner of the drainage basin and travels in a southwesterly direction until it reaches Dunkeld. From there, the Wannon River travels generally in a westerly direction through the Coleraine district until it meets the Glenelg River just north of Sandford. Major tributaries of the Wannon River include the Grange Burn, near Hamilton, and the Dundas River, near Cavendish. Other major tributaries of the Glenelg River include the Chetwynd, Stokes and Crawford Rivers (GHCMA, 2001).

Hopkins Drainage Basin:

The Hopkins River is the main waterway of this drainage basin. It begins in the most northern part of the basin near Ararat and travels in a southerly direction towards Warrnambool where it enters the Southern Ocean.

There are two major tributaries of the Hopkins River. They are Fiery Creek/Salt Creek and Mt Emu Creek. Fiery Creek also begins in the northern part of the basin and travels in a southwesterly direction to discharge into Lake Bolac. Salt Creek discharges out of Lake Bolac and travels in a southwesterly direction until it joins the Hopkins River below Hexham. The other major tributary of Mt Emu Creek begins in the northeastern corner of the basin near Ballarat and travels parallel to the eastern boundary of the basin where it eventually joins the Hopkins River approximately 20 km upstream of the outlet.

Hopkins River, east of Warrnambool

Minor tributaries of the Hopkins River include Muston Creek on the western side of the catchment and Brucknell Creek on the eastern side.

A minor independent waterway exists in this drainage basin to the west of the Hopkins River: the Merri River. This waterway is approximately 50 km in length and enters the Southern Ocean at Warrnambool (GHCMA, 2001).

In the Hopkins Basin 32% of water used is derived from surface water and groundwater, the remainder is imported surface water from the Otway Coast Basin. Surface water is mainly supplied from the upper Fiery Creek and Mason Creek (DWR, 1989).

Portland Drainage Basin:

The Portland drainage basin consists of numerous independent waterways, which enter the Southern Ocean at different locations. The waterways extend approximately 50 km to drain the entire basin. They include the Surry, Fitzroy, Shaw, Eumeralla and Moyne Rivers, as well as Darlots Creek (GHCMA, 2001).

In the Portland Coast Basin only 6% of water used is derived from surface water. The surface waters of the major streams have high salinity levels, with the exception of Surry River where salinity is slightly lower. Nearly all water is derived from groundwater resources. Surface water quality is good in relation to catchment condition and suitabile for aquatic life (DWR, 1989).

References:

Department of Water Resources Victoria (1989). Water Victoria: A Resource Handbook. Victorian Government Printing Office, Melbourne.

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