Beaufort River

Statement of Significance

It is important for its association with the early exploration of the area and later for the association with the establishment of the pastoral and agricultural industry in the district.

Physical Description

The Beaufort River is one of three main tributaries of the Arthur River (along with the Hilllman and Buchanan Rivers). The Arthur being the major source of the Blackwood River which flows to the sea at Augusta, and is the longest river in the South West.

The Beaufort has two sources. The eastern branch is a depression which drains a chain of lakes in the lower portion of the Wagin and upper portion of Woodanilling Shires. These lakes extend east to Gundaring Lake and include the Lime, Wagin, Parkeyerring, Norring, Little Norring, Martinup, Queerearrup , Charting, Wardering, Murapin and Flagstaff Lakes. It has two main tributaries - Boyerine Creek and Moojebing Creek (through Lake Norring). This (main) branch is well defined with its headwaters being in the high country between Kojonup and Broomehill. The southern branch has a number of tributaries becoming the Beaufort River near Marribank Mission where the Carrolup River meets the Carlerlup Creek. This section of the Beaufort River as it flows west is shown on some maps as the Quongering River, having the same name as the pool at
the junction of the tributaries. It joins the Arthur just south of Bokal siding. It is traversed by four main bridges - Boyerine (Great Southern Highway), Carrolup (Marribank), Beaufort Flats (Albany Highway) and Bokal, (Arthur-Dinninup Road).

Although fed by the overflow of some salt lakes, the original water quality was fresh. Extensive clearing in the catchment area increased the salinity and from about the mid 1960's it became too saline to host the introduced English Red Fin Perch and the native cobbler, marron and minnows. As a consequence of the increased salinity many of the trees which bordered the river have also died.

History

It was named by Surveyor General John Septimus Roe in 1835, during an exploration expedition between Perth and Albany ordered by Governor Stirling to verify Captain Thomas Bannister's glowing reports about this region during his overland excursion in 1830/31. Roe's party, which included Stirling, left Kelmscott on 4 October. After reaching Albany (where Stirling returned by sea) and travelling via York they returned to Perth on 31 December 1835. It was on this return journey that Roe named many of the Great Southern landmarks. On 20 December, Roe passed midway between the present towns of Katanning and Kojonup and after naming a watercourse 'Francis Brook' wrote "Had the pleasure to name the river to which it was a tributary the 'Beaufort' after my esteemed friend, Captain Francis Beaufort, Hydrographer to the Admiralty."
The deep pools of the Beaufort provided water for travellers and the pastoralists and were an important factor in the development of the area.

Uses

Creation Date

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Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.