The Leigh River is a major tributary and catchment of the Barwon River. Fed by the Yarrowee River that rises near Ballarat, the Yarrowee reaches its confluence to form the Leigh in the vicinity of Cambrian Hill and Golden Plains Shire.[5] The Leigh River rises below Mount Mercer and flows generally south, joined by three minor tributaries before reaching its confluence with the Barwon River, southeast of the central business district of Inverleigh. The river descends 265 metres (869 ft) over its 61-kilometre (38 mi) course.[4][6]
Communities and bridge crossings along the river
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There are several crossings over the Leigh River, including road, rail and pedestrian. Some additional roads allow passage through shallow sections of the river when the water levels are low.
The Wathaurong Aboriginal people named the river Waywatcurtan.[1][2]
It is believed that the name Leigh River was given by the surveyor J.H. Wedge who arrived in 1835, probably naming the river after his Tasmanian farm Leighlands.[8]
^ Ballarat Gold Field [cartographic material] : longitudinal section showing the fall of the surface and bed rock respectively from no. 1 shaft mine of the Band and Albion Consols Co. to Yarrowee River at the Leigh Grand Junction bridge, undated, NSW Government Publications.
^Lonsdale, Joan "Gateway to the West", Inverleigh Progress Association, 1978
