The Kiewa River is also known by several variations on its name in its upper reaches, variously named as Kiewa River East branch and West Kiewa River (or similar).[1]
The name Kiewa is an Aboriginal word, derived from cy-a-nun-a, meaning sweet, and wher-ra, meaning water.[2]
Location and features
The river rises near Clover Power Station, on the slopes of Mount Bogong, the highest mountain in Victoria at 1,986 metres (6,516 ft). The main river is formed by the confluence of the Kiewa River East branch and West Kiewa River. The Kiewa River flows generally north northwest, joined by eleven minor tributaries, towards its confluence with the Murray River, southeast of Albury and east of Wodonga. The main river descends 525 metres (1,722 ft) over its 109 kilometres (68 mi) course,[3] sedately through cleared farming country downstream of Mount Beauty; the West Kiewa River descends 850 metres (2,790 ft) over its 29 kilometres (18 mi) course,[4] in near-pristine ash and peppermint forest country where the flow is swift,[citation needed] upstream of the town of Mount Beauty.
Snowfall is common in the upper reaches of the river during winter, with up to 230 centimetres (90 in) precipitation, mainly as snow.[5]
The river is impounded by Lake Guy at 658 metres (2,159 ft) above sea level and other dams associated with the Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme, which traps waters flowing from the Bogong High Plains. The McKay Creek and West Kiewa power stations are the major generating elements of the Scheme, which provides peak load to the Victorian electricity grid.
Tawonga Huts, a series of huts and ruins, are located on the lower reaches of the West Kiewa River, within Alpine National Park and are accessible by experienced hikers.[6] The Kiewa is a popular fly fishing stream for local anglers as it holds good populations of wild brown and rainbow trout.
The East and West branches of the Kiewa provide important white water paddling opportunities for Victorian kayakers. The most reliable time to paddle is in spring during the snow melt.
The upper reaches of the Kiewa River and the Bogong High Plains are a very popular area for cross-country skiing through winter and through to the early spring months.
