Lerderderg River

Location and features

The Lerderderg River rises below the Blackwood Ranges, part of the Great Dividing Range, in the Lerderderg State Forest, near the locality of . The river flows generally south by east in a highly meandering course, through the Lerderderg Gorge within the Wombat State Forest where it is joined by two minor tributaries, The Old River and Goodman Creek, before reaching its confluence with the Werribee River within the Melton Reservoir, southeast of Bacchus Marsh. The river descends approximately 383 m over its 40 km course.

A diversion in the river's course, called the Lerderderg River diversion tunnel, located approximately 25 km upriver from Bacchus Marsh, was constructed between 1855 and 1870. The tunnel was driven through a mountain spur in a horseshoe bend, diverting the river, and allowing the exposed river bed to be sluiced for alluvial gold.

The river is known for the Lerderderg Gorge Picnic Ground, camping, bushwalking, and fishing. In earlier days, gold was mined in the upper reaches, and some of the old mines (considered dangerous to enter) can be seen as you travel along the sluice on the east bank, which previously fed into those mines. The water slowed to a trickle during the severe drought of 2007. Even when not flowing, there are still a few popular swimming spots along the river, including "Harry's Hole", "Third Hole", and "The Pit", all of which are in the Lerderderg Gorge.

The river is traversed by the Western Freeway northeast of Bacchus Marsh.

References

References

1. (2010). "At long last the Lerdy flows again". Wombat Forestcare Inc.
2. (2 May 1966). "Lerderderg River: 19449". [[Government of Victoria (Australia).
3. "Map of Lerderderg River, VIC". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia.
4. (December 2010). "Lerderderg State Park Visitor Guide". [[Parks Victoria]].
5. (August 1999). "Historic Gold Mining Sites in the South West Region of Victoria, Report on Cultural Heritage". Department of Natural Resources and Environment.