Paroo River

Paroo
Paroo Channel, Paroo River Channels
River
Paroo River at Wanaaring, New South Wales
Country	Australia
States	Queensland, New South Wales
Regions	South West Queensland, Far West, New South Wales
Part of	Darling River catchment, Murray–Darling basin
Source	Mariala National Park
- location	west of Augathella, Queensland
- elevation	336 m (1,102 ft)
- coordinates	26°07′56″S 145°10′39″E / 26.13222°S 145.17750°E / -26.13222; 145.17750
Mouth	confluence with the Darling River in wetter seasons
- location	north of White Cliffs, New South Wales
- elevation	94 m (308 ft)
- coordinates	31°33′30″S 143°27′08″E / 31.55833°S 143.45222°E / -31.55833; 143.45222Coordinates: 31°33′30″S 143°27′08″E / 31.55833°S 143.45222°E / -31.55833; 143.45222
Length	1,210 km (752 mi)
Basin	60,095 km2 (23,203 sq mi)
Discharge
- average	15 m3/s (530 cu ft/s)
Reservoirs	Buckenby Waterhole, Humeburn Waterhole, Corni Paroo Waterhole, Caiwarro Waterhole, Thoulcanna Dam, Talyealye Billabong and Budtha Waterhole
National park	Mariala National Park
Location of the Paroo River mouth in New South Wales

The Paroo River, a series of waterholes, connected in wet weather as a running stream of the Darling catchment within the Murray–Darling basin, is located in the South West region of Queensland and Far West region of New South Wales, Australia. It was the home of the Paarkantji people.

The river rises in the gorge country of western Queensland south of the Mariala National Park, and flows generally south and spreads into the vast floodplains of New South Wales, eventually reaching the Paroo overflow lakes. Most commonly, the Paroo River terminates on the floodplain south of Wanaaring; and only reaches the Darling River in the wettest of years, otherwise spilling into the Paroo River Wetlands. The river is joined by forty-three minor tributaries; as it descends 242 metres (794 ft) over its 1,210-kilometre (750 mi) course.

The Paroo River is the last remaining free-flowing river in the northern part of the Murray-Darling basin; and is impounded by the natural formation of the Buckenby Waterhole, Humeburn Waterhole, Corni Paroo Waterhole, Caiwarro Waterhole, Thoulcanna Dam, Talyealye Billabong and Budtha Waterhole.

The Paroo River wetlands in north-western New South Wales are important for threatened species such as the freckled duck and the Australian painted snipe. They lie within the Paroo Floodplain and Currawinya Important Bird Area, identified as such by BirdLife International because of its importance, when conditions are suitable, for large numbers of waterbirds.