Derwent River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Derwent River
River
Sunrise over the Derwent River
Country	Australia
State	Tasmania
Tributaries
- left	Ouse River, Jordan River
Cities	Derwent Bridge, New Norfolk, Bridgewater, Hobart
Source	Lake St Clair
- location	Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Central Highlands, Tasmania, Australia
- elevation	1,545 m (5,069 ft)
- coordinates	42°7′12″S 146°12′37″E / 42.12000°S 146.21028°E / -42.12000; 146.21028
Mouth	Storm Bay
- location	Storm Bay, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- elevation	0 m (0 ft)
- coordinates	43°3′3″S 147°22′38″E / 43.05083°S 147.37722°E / -43.05083; 147.37722
Length	239 km (149 mi)
Basin	9,832 km² (3,796 sq mi)
Discharge	for Storm Bay
- average	90 m³/s (3,178 cu ft/s)
- max	140 m³/s (4,944 cu ft/s)
- min	50 m³/s (1,766 cu ft/s)

The Derwent is a river in Tasmania, Australia. It was named after the River Derwent, Cumbria, by British Commodore John Hayes who explored it in 1793. The name is Brythonic Celtic for "valley thick with oaks". John Hays placed the name "Derwent River" only in the upper part of the river. Matthew Flinders placed the name on all of the river.

The banks of the Derwent were once covered by forests and occupied by Aborigines. European settlers farmed the area and during the 20th century many dams were built on its tributaries.

Derwent River (facing south), at the Bridgewater causeway.

Derwent river as seen from Poimenna Reserve, Austins Ferry