South Para River

{{short description|River in South Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Use Australian English|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox river | name = South Para | name_native = | name_native_lang = | name_other = | name_etymology =  | image = South Para R from Gawler Bridge 1.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = The South Para River, viewed from Gawler Bridge | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Australia South Australia | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption= Location of the [[mouth (river)|river mouth]] in [[South Australia]]  | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = [[Australia]] | subdivision_type2 = State | subdivision_name2 = [[South Australia]] | subdivision_type3 = Region | subdivision_name3 = [[Mount Lofty Ranges]] | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = Towns | subdivision_name5 = [[Gawler, South Australia|Gawler]]  | length = {{convert|48|km|mi|abbr=on}} | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max =  | source1 = [[Mount Lofty Ranges]] | source1_location = near [[Mount Crawford (South Australia)|Mount Crawford]] | source1_coordinates= | source1_elevation = {{convert|459|m|abbr=on}} | mouth = [[confluence]] with the [[North Para River]] to form the [[Gawler River (South Australia)|Gawler River]] | mouth_location = at {{SAcity|Gawler}} | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|34|36|S|138|45|E|display=title,inline|region:AU-SA_type:river_source:GNS-enwiki}} | mouth_elevation = {{convert|48|m|abbr=on}} | progression = | river_system = [[Gawler River (South Australia)|Gawler River]] | basin_size = | tributaries_left = Watts Gully Creek | tributaries_right = Malcolm Creek | custom_label = [[Reservoir]]s | custom_data = [[Warren Reservoir]]; [[South Para Reservoir]] | extra = <ref name=bonzle>{{cite web |url=http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=205443&cmd=sp |title=Map of South Para River, SA |work=Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia |access-date=25 March 2017 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220209/http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=205443&cmd=sp |url-status=live }}</ref> }}

The '''South Para River''' is a river located in the [[Mount Lofty Ranges]] northeast of [[Adelaide]] in the Australian state of [[South Australia]].

The river's name is based directly on the [[Kaurna language|Kaurna]] word ''pari'' which means river.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/manning/pn/p/p1.htm#para |title=Place Names of South Australia: Para |work=Manning Index of South Australian History |publisher=State Library of South Australia |first=George |last=Manning |date=1990 |access-date=31 May 2017 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172326/http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/manning/pn/p/p1.htm#para |url-status=live }}</ref> The "south" descriptor distinguishes it from the [[North Para River]] with which it merges.

==Course and features== The South Para River rises in the [[Mount Lofty Ranges]] near [[Mount Crawford (South Australia)|Mount Crawford]] and [[Kersbrook, South Australia|Kersbrook]] and flows [[Ordinal directions|northwest]] through the Mount Lofty Ranges, passing through the [[Warren Reservoir]] and the [[South Para Reservoir]], before reaching its [[confluence]] with the [[North Para River]] in [[Gawler, South Australia|Gawler]] to form the [[Gawler River (South Australia)|Gawler River]]. The South Para River descends {{convert|411|m}} over its {{convert|47.5|km|adj=on}} [[watercourse|course]].<ref name=bonzle/>

The South Para River catchment is one of the key [[drainage basin|watersheds]] in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges. It plays an important role in the functioning of South Australia, providing much of the water used by [[Adelaide]]'s domestic supply in the Northern Adelaide area. The rainfall in the South Para River catchment varies from {{convert|775|mm}} per annum in the north-east of the catchment to {{convert|675|mm}} per annum near Williamstown. Its waters are also used for [[Livestock|livestock production]], [[Cereal|cereal cropping]] and recreation.

==See also== {{stack|}} * [[Hundred of Barossa]] * [[Hundred of Para Wirra]] * [[Hundred of Yatala]] * {{Section link|List of rivers of Australia|South Australia}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Rivers of South Australia|South Para River]] [[Category:Adelaide Hills]]