8523 (8522)-33 to 37 Snowy River Gorge

This information has been developed from the publications:

Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in Central Gippsland (1981) by Neville Rosengren, M.S McRae-Williams and S.M Kraemers.
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Gippsland Lakes Catchment (1984) by Neville Rosengren.
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in East Gippsland, Victoria (1981) by Neville Rosengren, M.S McRae-Williams

Geological heritage sites, including sites of geomorphological interest and volcanic heritage sites, are under regular revision by the Geological Society of Australia, especially in the assessment of significance and values. Reference should be made to the most recent reports. See the Earth Science Heritage section of the Geological Society of Australia website for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Introduction:	The Snowy is the largest river in terms of discharge in eastern Victoria and is one of the major drainage systems of southeastern Australia. For most of its length of Victoria, the Snowy occupies a deep gorge in which is displayed a wide variety of sedimentary, intrusive, volcanic and metamorphic rocks and structures. The valley morphology varies closely in association with lithology, and the extensive outcrop on the valley sides allows ready access to a considerable section of lower to middle Palaeozoic stratigraphy.
	Very little research has been undertaken into the erosional history of the Snowy Valley and there is opportuni8ty for detailed geomorphological study of the form and evolution of this valley and its major tributaries. The tremendous volume of material excavated by the river to form the gorge has been largely removed from the mountain area and deposited to infill the former estuarine sector downstream from Bete Bolong (8622-7 to 14; 8522-11). Between Willis at the New South Wales border and Mackillip Bridge, the river channel is sandy and conspicuously braided at low river levels. Downstream from here in Tulloch Ard gorge are numerous rapids and small falls developed on resistant rock outcrops and the alluvial sectors are restricted to small basin areas eroded in softer rock types.
	The number and areal extent of sites of significance identified on the Snowy River and its tributaries indicate that a co-ordinated management policy should be developed for the entire Snowy River basin in Victoria. This policy should aim at maintaining the remarkable diversity of landscape in the basin and should recognise the dynamic interaction of fluvial processes along all sectors of the river. It is clear that major reservoir construction, particularly below Mackillop Bridge would essentially destroy a major scientific resource of East Gippsland.

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