Molonglo River, Perennial river in Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
The Molonglo River flows through Canberra and eventually joins the Murrumbidgee River, which is part of the larger Murray-Darling Basin. The water is held back by the Scrivener Dam, creating Lake Burley Griffin, a large lake in the center of the city.
Early European settlers called the waterway Limestone River, but in the 1820s an explorer recorded the original Aboriginal name. The river became important to Canberra's development, especially through the construction of a dam in the 20th century.
The name comes from an Aboriginal language and refers to the sound of thunder, showing the deep connection Indigenous peoples had to this waterway. Along the river through the city, you will find parks and paths where locals and visitors walk and spend time outdoors.
The river is most accessible from Lake Burley Griffin, which sits in the center of the city and is surrounded by paths and parks. Along the banks you will find places to walk and rest, especially during the warmer months.
Mining operations upstream caused pollution that required major cleanup efforts. Today, restoring the river remains an ongoing project aimed at bringing back native fish populations.
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