User:Kyle sb/drafts/Pipers River

This is a draft by Kyle sb and a start to a major expansion he intends to make to the Pipers River article.

Pipers River is a river and catchment in North Eastern Tasmania. There are also several roads by this name; the Pipers River-Bridport Highway connects George town to Bridport and Scottsdale. Pipers River road which runs adjacent to the river connects Launceston and the Bridport Highway. There is also a small town called Pipers River, about 40 km from Launceston it is a community of around 140. The Pipers River Region is used to describe an area with Lilydale to the east, Turners Marsh to the south, Weymouth to the north and Mt Direction to the west.

Pipers River

Flow

The river begins in Mount Arthur; near Lilydale, at an altitude of slightly less than 1000 meters. The river is about 50 km long, and for the most part is straight and narrow.

It flows through Hollybank Forest a popular tourist attraction, it then proceeds to Underwood. After this the Pipers River runs adjacent (on the eastern side) to the Pipers River road and passes the towns of Lower Turners Marsh and Karoola.

The river flows under a bridge on the Bridport Highway (B82) after this it begins to expand out; becoming wider, salty and tidal. The mouth is located at Pipers Heads near the towns of Weymouth and Bellingham. It ends at Noland Bay, Bass Strait.

Catchment

The catchment includes THE SOUTH A number of tributaries flow into the Pipers River including; Pipers Brook, at Bellingham, Back Creek at Weymouth and Rocky Creek near Lilydale. The river isn't very tidal except in the immediate area around Weymouth.

River and Catchment Issues

The water flow is unregulated and with low interfearance. However the catchment area, including most of the creeks are often drained by aggriculture users. Other creaks such as Rocky creek which is a tributary to the Piper is drained for drinking water in Lilydale. At certain times in the year particularly January-April the flow may be greatly reduced due to consumption by farmers. The River is only subject to mild flooding.

There are very few problems of polution in the Pipers River. The water is mostly clear and clean and studies show there is a low level of chemicals entering the water. Studies have shown the water remains very pure in its upper reaches aro

OXIDATION PROBLEMS.

USES OF THE WATER UNDER POSSIBLE THREAT

LOGGING IN THE RIVER CATCHMENT

Gunns Limited which has proposed the construction of a pulp mill , requires a lot of water. It has been suggested that this could be drawn from a dam to be built across Pipers River. It is estimated that would reduce the rivers flow by 1/3. The proposal has been met with mild opposition.

History

Have information, need sources. Unsure how to write about the town/region and river as well.

Pipers River Town

There is a small township called Pipers River, with a population of about 140. Pipers River has a tennis court and one shop. Pipers River Road, serves as a thoroughfare connecting Launceston to the Bridport Highway. The road is sealed and well developed, however there are many sharp corners particularly around Karoola.

A new resort has just been approved valued at $50 million, to be built in Pipers River, the project is estimated to be completed in 2007.

Pipers River-Bridport Highway

The Pipers River-Bridport Highway or B82 is a major road in Northern Tasmania. It starts at George Town and serves as a throughfare, terminating at Bridport. The road is very straight and there are no signed corners. It runs in a horizontal direction for about 60 km. There is only one shop on the entire highway length, at Pipers River, about midway. Pipers River Road connects this road back to Launceston. Turn offs on the road are at Weymouth, Pipers River Town, Lebrina, Retreat, Bellingham, Golconda and Nabowla. The road is frequented by large trucks and because of its lack of corners there are problems with vehicles speeding. The speed limit is 100 km/hr.

References

Resort in Pipers River
Department Primary Industries, Water and Energy - Publications - Pipers River (PDF file)
[ SITE HERE - Map of the Pipers River Catchment]
[ SITE HERE - Find a link on the road and highway]

External links

[ SITE - Tamar Valley Tourism area]