Franklin River

The Franklin River is a big river.

It is in Tasmania, in Australia. The river flows through high hills. It is a wild and rocky place. Many small rivers join it. It flows into the Gordon River. Long ago, people used the river for wood. Now, people go there to canoe. It is part of a large park. It is a very special place to see.

The Franklin River is a large river in Tasmania. Tasmania is an island in Australia. The river flows through a wild and rocky area. It sits inside the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. This park is part of a very big area. We call this area the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

The river starts near the Central Highlands. It flows west and south through high mountains. Many small rivers join the Franklin. These are called tributaries. Sixteen of them flow into the main river. The Franklin ends when it meets the Gordon River.

The river has a famous name. It is named after Sir John Franklin. He was a Governor of Tasmania. Long ago, people used the river to move pine wood. In the 1950s, people began to canoe there. The river has many rapids. Rapids are fast, bumpy parts of a river. In the 1980s, many people fought to save the river. They did not want a dam to be built there. They wanted to keep the river wild.

The Franklin River is a major river in Tasmania, Australia. It flows through the Central Highlands and western regions. This river sits inside the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. This park is part of a huge area called the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The river is a very important part of this wild land. It flows through remote and rugged mountains.

The river begins at the western edge of the Central Highlands. It rises below Mount Hugel, west of Derwent Bridge. From there, it flows west and south through the hills. The river eventually meets the Gordon River. Along the way, sixteen other rivers join the Franklin. These smaller rivers are called tributaries. Some of these names include the Surprise, Collingwood, and Lucan rivers.

People have visited this river for a long time. In the nineteenth century, explorers traveled the upper parts. They wanted to reach a place called Frenchmans Cap. In the early twentieth century, people used the lower parts for pine logging. By the middle of the century, adventurous people began canoeing there. They wanted to try the river's many hard challenges. A book called "Shooting The Franklin" tells of trips made in the 1950s.

The river has many special names for its parts. Canoers and rafters have named many bends and rapids. Some names include Livingstone Cut, Pig Trough, and The Forceit. Other spots are called Thunderrush, The Cauldron, and Devils Hole. In the upper reaches, the river is held by two reservoirs. These are named Lake Undine and Lake Dixon. The Lyell Highway also crosses the river in these upper areas.

The river is famous for a big fight to save it. In the 1980s, a large conservation movement began. People fought to stop Hydro Tasmania from building a dam. They wanted to protect the wilderness experience of the river. This battle became a very famous event in Australia. Because of these events, more people visited the river than ever before. This led to new, strict rules for everyone using the water.

The Franklin River is a major perennial river in Tasmania, Australia. A perennial river is one that flows continuously throughout the year. This river sits within the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. This park is located in the mid-northern area of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The river flows through the Central Highlands and western regions of the island. It is a vital part of this rugged landscape.

The river's journey begins at the western edge of the Central Highlands. Specifically, it rises below Mount Hugel, which is west of Derwent Bridge. From this source, the water flows generally west and south. It moves through remote and mountainous country. Eventually, the Franklin reaches its confluence with the Gordon River. A confluence is the point where two rivers meet and join together. Along its path, sixteen tributaries join the main river. These tributaries include the Surprise, Collingwood, Lucan, Loddon, Andrew, and Jane rivers.

In its upper reaches, the river is modified by human structures. Two reservoirs, Lake Undine and Lake Dixon, impound the water. To impound a river means to hold the water back behind a dam. The Lyell Highway also crosses the river in these upper sections. The river's name honors Sir John Franklin. He was a Governor of Tasmania. He later died while searching for the Northwest Passage.

Human history is tied to these waters in several stages. Archaeological sites show that people were active here before Europeans arrived. In the nineteenth century, explorers traversed the upper reaches. They were attempting to access Frenchmans Cap. During the early twentieth century, the lower reaches were used for pine logging. By the middle of the century, the river became a site for adventure. Canoers sought to conquer its formidable challenges. The book "Shooting The Franklin" records three specific trips from the 1950s.

Because of these travelers, many specific locations have unique names. Early explorers named very few features. Later, Bob Brown submitted names for several locations during his initial journeys. Rafters and canoers have added many more names for bends and rapids. Some of these named features include Livingstone Cut and Pig Trough. Other spots include The Forceit, Rock Island Bend, and Sidewinder. There are also places called Thunderrush, The Cauldron, and Devils Hole. Many more names exist, such as Gaylard Rapids and Verandah Cliffs.

The river is also famous for a massive conservation battle in the 1980s. This was one of Australia's largest conservation movements. The movement fought to block a hydro-electric power plan. This plan was proposed by Hydro Tasmania. They wanted to build a dam on the Franklin River. The debate focused on the dam and the value of the wilderness experience. This conflict led to more people using the river than ever before. However, a drowning on the river resulted in stricter guidelines for all users. The writer Richard Flanagan even wrote a fictional account of a drowning called "Death of a River Guide."

The Franklin River remains a significant symbol of natural heritage. It connects the high mountains to the coastal regions. It serves as a key part of a protected World Heritage Area. The river's history moves from ancient activity to logging and then to extreme sport. Today, it is a place where environmental protection and human adventure meet. The river continues to flow through its rugged, mountainous home.