Mary River (Northern Territory)
BW
Template: Infobox River / Obsolete
The Mary River is a river in the Australian state of Northern Territory.
Its catchment area is bounded on the west by the catchment area of the Adelaide River, on the east by that of the Wildman River. Near the mouth it divides into several branches, one of which Tommycut Sampan Creek and Creek are important.
- 2.1 Tourism
- 2.2 Agriculture
Environment
Since the 1940s, the located near the mouth of 1300 km ² large wetlands are subjected to an increasing salinization, which is counteracted by officials since 1987, with some effort. The reasons for the salinization are not known exactly, as potentially liable parties will, among other feral water buffalo taken into account, but also explosions which served the broadening of the waters. In the coming decades the rising sea level will increase the salt entry yet. It is estimated that the wetlands without counter-measures by 2050 would be completely flooded by the sea water ..
Climate
The nearest weather station is located some 38 km west station Rangers Middle Point (position ) -12.58131.3110. The temperatures reach there its maximum in October-December with average highs of 35.6 ° C and 33.8 ° C and average minimum of 22.7 ° C or 23.9 ° C. In July, the coldest month, average maximums of 31.3 ° C and average minimum of 14.9 ° C was reached ( 1965-1998 ). The annual rainfall is an average of 1411 mm ( since 1957 ) which for the strong differences occur during the year: In the wettest month, January, falling 332.6 mm, the driest month, July, only 0.9 mm.
Fauna
In the estuary near wetlands of the Mary River crosses on his last 25 km, the late 1990s, 54 fish species were recorded. At the beginning of the rainy season the waters predominantly of marine fish such as barramundi, dot stripe - Argus fish and mullet are populated. After the rains and the rising of the level, it is for the upstream live freshwater fish (eg Ambassis agrammus, Melanotaenia splendida inornata and blue eyes) to migrate downstream, so that there arises a mixed population during the rainy season.
Economy
Tourism
The Mary River is crossed by the Arnhem Highway, which connects Darwin the capital of the Northern Territory, with the most important tourist attraction, the Kakadu National Park. A large part of the river is part of the company founded in 2007 Mary River National Park, through which the hitherto little explored area for tourists to be more attractive.
Agriculture
The pastoral economy, are used for more than 60% of the catchment area, has annual sales of approximately $ 17.5 million with a production of about 35,000 head of cattle.