Mehi River

Mehi River
Gwydir River, Meei River
Watercourse
Mehi River Weir at Moree
Country	Australia
State	New South Wales
Region	IBRA: Darling Riverine Plains
District	Orana
Municipalities	Moree Plains, Walgett
Part of	Murray–Darling basin
City	Moree
Source	an offtake from the Gwydir River
- location	near Pallamallawa
- elevation	227 m (745 ft)
Mouth	confluence with the Barwon River
- location	near Collarenebri
- elevation	145 m (476 ft)
Length	314 km (195 mi)

Mehi River, a watercourse that is part of the Barwon catchment within the Murray–Darling basin, is located in the Orana district of New South Wales, Australia.

The river rises as the southern offtake from the Gwydir River called the Big Leather Watercourse, near Pallamallawa, and flows generally west and west, south-west, joined by eight minor tributaries, before reaching its confluence with the Barwon River near Collarenebri; descending 82 metres (269 ft) over its 314 kilometres (195 mi) course.

The river which branches off at the Tareelaroi Weir was previously known as the Gwydir River or Meei River. The Geographical Names Board of New South Wales officially named Mehi as the 160 kilometres (99 mi) tributary of the Gwydir River in 1975 ending years of confusion over the naming of this section.

In 1889 a timber bridge was erected over the Mehi River at Moree. Another bridge was built over Mehi River, Moree in April 1960. A bridge over the Mehi River, west of Moree, was completed in December 1995. A total of four bridges cross the Mehi River in Moree; two of these bridges are low-level and subject to flooding.

The area adjoining the river has numerous attractive riverside parks, golf links and reserves. The Mehi River jetty at Moree is a popular spot for water sports.

During 2008 plans were drawn up to install a fish passage at Moree which will open up a 300 kilometres (190 mi) "freeway" for native fish between Copeton Dam and Collarenebri. The Barwon River-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority has provided $175,000 to Moree Plains Shire Council to install a fish passage at the Moree Town Weir. The Mehi River and the Carole and Gil Gil creeks have been channelised to assist with delivery of water to the irrigation industry.