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Watson River
The Watson River just south of Weipa on the west coast of Cape York tumbles into Archer Bay in the Gulf of Carpentaria from its journey through the Cape’s distinct savanna forest landscape and plentiful wetlands. As the river swells in the wet season from late November to March, the enormous Aurukun wetlands are replenished with fresh water and food and invite even more wildlife to benefit from the abundance.
Aurukun wetlands from the air. Photo: Kerry Trapnell
Conservation and cultural values
Encompassing the Merkunga and Kokialah Creeks, the Watson River catchment is as diverse as it is wild; spared from the destructive impacts of large dams and intensive agriculture. The tropical waters of the Watson still teem with fish such as the rare and unique fish such as the Obbes Catfish, Delicate Blue-eyes Fish, as well as the better know Barramundi.
In between the vast river channels and wetlands, the tall Darwin Stringbark forest is strewn with paperbark-lined lagoons, replenished during the wet season to provide vital refuges for wildlife. In these oases, the red-flowering Freshwater Mangrove displays its attractive waterlillies while majestic birds such as the Jabiru and Royal Spoonbill bath and feed in the life-giving waters.
These same birds share the enormous abundance of the 1.1 million hectare Aurukun wetlands on the coast with many other birds like the Magpie Geese, Radjah Shelduck, Sacred Kingfisher and Darter. Over seven times the size of the wetlands of Kakadu, these wetlands are one of Australia’s best kept secrets. Local indigenous people have established a successful boat charter company which explores the wonders of this globally important area, kept healthy by the natural flows of the Watson River catchment.
The Watson River catchment is also known for the dramatic Pera Head – huge cliffs of exposed, colourful bauxite facing the expanse of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The monsoonal drainage of the Watson and the intense weathering of ancient rocks has helped formed this iconic landmark.
The Winda Winda, Wik and Mbeiwum people are the Traditional Owners of the Watson River catchment area and maintain strong cultural and spiritual connections with the land and rivers. The traditional ecological knowledge and health of these communities is in turn critical to the ongoing health of this wild river system.
Threats
The greatest threat to the Watson River is the extensive bauxite strip-mining. Comalco currently has the authority to build dams and extract significant amounts of water for their mining operations. The major Chinese mining corporation, Chalco, also recently landed a major deal to begin feasibility studies mine parts of the Archer River. However Wild Rivers will stop dam building on the Watson River. It will also help ensure mining is quarantined from rivers and wetlands, with large buffer zones.
Other threats to the health of the Watson River catchment are feral animals like wild pigs, invasive weeds and inappropriate fire management (non-Indigenous traditional burning). Wild River protection, as well as the Indigenous Wild River Ranger program, will help address these impacts.