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Fly River

Coordinates: 8°33′40″S 143°35′20″E / 8.56111°S 143.58889°E / -8.56111; 143.58889
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Fly
Aerial view of the Fly River
Location of the Fly
Location
CountryPapua New Guinea and Indonesia
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationStar Mountains, Papua New Guinea
 • coordinates5°32′15″S 141°53′16″E / 5.53750°S 141.88778°E / -5.53750; 141.88778
 • elevation3,000 m (9,800 ft)[1]
MouthGulf of Papua
 • location
Papua New Guinea
 • coordinates
8°33′40″S 143°35′20″E / 8.56111°S 143.58889°E / -8.56111; 143.58889
 • elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Length1,060 km (660 mi)[2]
Basin size75,800 km2 (29,300 sq mi)[3]
Discharge 
 • locationFly Delta
 • average6,500 m3/s (230,000 cu ft/s)[4]
Discharge 
 • locationOgwa
 • average6,000 m3/s (210,000 cu ft/s)[3]
Discharge 
 • locationObo
 • average2,400 m3/s (85,000 cu ft/s)[3][1]
Discharge 
 • locationKiunga
 • average1,110 m3/s (39,000 cu ft/s)[1]
Basin features
ProgressionGulf of Papua
River systemFly River
Tributaries 
 • leftPalmer, Elevala, Binge, Agu, Strickland
 • rightGu, Ok Tedi, Soru, Burei, Bituri

The Fly River is the third longest river on the island of New Guinea, after the Sepik and Mamberamo, with a total length of 1,060 km (660 mi). It is the largest by volume of discharge in Oceania, the largest in the world without a single dam in its catchment, and overall the 20th-largest primary river in the world by discharge volume. It is located in the southwest of Papua New Guinea and in the South Papua province of Indonesia.[5] It rises in the Victor Emanuel Range arm of the Star Mountains, and crosses the south-western lowlands before flowing into the Gulf of Papua in a large delta. The Fly–Strickland River system has a total length of 1,220 km (760 mi), making it the longest river system of an island in the world. The 824 km (512 mi) Strickland is the longest and largest tributary of Fly River, making it the farthest distance source of the Fly River.

Description

[edit]
NASA blue marble satellite image of the Fly River

The Fly flows mostly through the Western Province of Papua New Guinea and for a small stretch, it forms the international boundary with Indonesia's western New Guinea. This section protrudes slightly to the west of the 141°E longitude line.[6] To compensate for this slight gain in territory for Papua New Guinea, the border south of the Fly River is slightly east of the 141°E longitude line. As part of this deal, Indonesia has the right to use the Fly River to its mouth for navigation.

The principal tributaries of the Fly are the Strickland and the Ok Tedi.

Close to its mouth, the flow of the Fly River encounters a tidal bore, where an incoming high tide pushes water upstream until the tide changes. The range of this tidal bore is still undocumented.[7]

Discharge

[edit]
Year, period Average discharge Ref.
Estuary

8°33′57.1428″S 143°38′26.6892″E / 8.565873000°S 143.640747000°E / -8.565873000; 143.640747000

1999–2003 7,000 m3/s (250,000 cu ft/s) [8][1]
1993–1997 6,000 m3/s (210,000 cu ft/s) [9][10]
1990–2003 6,500 m3/s (230,000 cu ft/s) [4][11]
7,500 m3/s (260,000 cu ft/s) [2][1]
5,670 m3/s (200,000 cu ft/s) [12]
Ogwa

7°38′47.5008″S 141°21′8.5104″E / 7.646528000°S 141.352364000°E / -7.646528000; 141.352364000

1988–1993 6,000 m3/s (210,000 cu ft/s) [13][14]
7,400 m3/s (260,000 cu ft/s) [2]
Everill Junction

7°35′4.3188″S 141°23′12.7536″E / 7.584533000°S 141.386876000°E / -7.584533000; 141.386876000

1993–1997 5,250 m3/s (185,000 cu ft/s) [9]
6,000 m3/s (210,000 cu ft/s) [3]
Obo1

7°35′14.5212″S 141°19′25.2228″E / 7.587367000°S 141.323673000°E / -7.587367000; 141.323673000

1999–2003 3,067 m3/s (108,300 cu ft/s) [8]
1993–1997 2,244 m3/s (79,200 cu ft/s) [9][10]
2,400 m3/s (85,000 cu ft/s) [3]
2,800 m3/s (99,000 cu ft/s) [13][2][1]
Kuambit2

6°10′5.0088″S 141°6′56.034″E / 6.168058000°S 141.11556500°E / -6.168058000; 141.11556500

1,820 m3/s (64,000 cu ft/s) [13][1]
Kiunga3

6°7′35.3316″S 141°17′48.732″E / 6.126481000°S 141.29687000°E / -6.126481000; 141.29687000

1,110 m3/s (39,000 cu ft/s) [13][1]

1Minimum 300 m3/s, maximum 3,500 m3/s; 2Minimum 120 m3/s, maximum 3,340 m3/s; 3Minimum 57 m3/s, maximum 1,950 m3/s;

Average, minimum, and maximum discharge of the Fly River at Ogwa:

Year Discharge (m3/s) Year Discharge (m3/s)
Min Mean Max Min Mean Max
1998 3,887 7,658 11,185 2012 4,609 8,004 13,993
1999 4,757 10,148 18,575 2013 4,023 6,246 9,629
2000 5,150 9,738 15,510 2014 4,675 6,759 11,794
2001 3,940 8,762 16,203 2015 2,546 5,760 8,575
2002 2,310 5,645 10,712 2016 3,665 8,366 14,918
2003 2,599 5,269 10,060 2017 5,760 10,264 17,509
2004 1,757 4,231 9,881 2018 4,766 8,741 13,772
2005 2,314 5,913 15,595 2019 3,498 7,488 13,533
2006 2,395 7,057 12,429 2020 4,158 6,868 10,567
2007 3,574 6,788 12,935 2021 4,518 8,706 15,338
2008 4,430 7,672 11,848 2022 4,032 6,604 9,569
2009 3,464 7,509 14,355 2023 2,497 5,978 11,963
2010 3,316 6,086 10,009 2024
2011 3,030 6,382 11,341 2025

Source: The Flood Observatory[15]

Average discharge (m3/s):

Station 1988/89 1989/90 1990/91 1991/92 1992/93
Kiunga 1,435 1,197 1,044 807 941
Kuambit 2,400 2,124 2,094 1,407 2,061
Obo 2,515 2,613 2,424 2,057 1,978
Ogwa 6,300 6,482 6,193 4,927 5,119

[14][1]

Sediment load:

Station Sediment load

(106 t/year)

Ogwa 81.3–119
Obo 9.1–35
Kuambit 6.3–37
Kiunga 2.6–2.7

[13]

Tributaries

[edit]

The main tributaries from the mouth:

Left tributary Right tributary Length (km) Basin size (km2) Average discharge (m3/s)
Fly 1,060 73,809.31 6,500
Lower Fly
Segera 457.9 41.4
Bituri 80 2,110.1 78.8
Burei 1,173.6 35.7
Suki Creek (Soru) 60 1,279.2 47.1
Strickland 824 35,058.7 3,600
Middle Fly
Tamu Creek 492 19.7
Kai 435.4 22.3
Agu 1,305.6 81.9
Binge 584.4 53.4
Ok Tedi 207 5,042.1 923
Upper Fly
Wai Dai 280.6 28.4
Elevala 100 1,859.4 196.1
Wok Luap (Palmer) 90 2,314.4 244.4
Gu (Wai Mari) 319.9 45.7
Wok Feneng 387.5 43.8
Wok Wunik 175.7 25.3

[16]

Delta

[edit]
The original survey map created by L.M. D'Albertis in 1876

The delta of the Fly River is over 100 km wide at its entrance, but only 11 km wide at the apex upstream of Kiwai Island. The delta contains three main distributary channels (the Southern, Northern, and Far Northern Entrances) that branch from a common point (the “apex”). The distributary channels are 5 to 15 m in depth, separated by elongate, sand-mud islands that are stabilized by lush mangrove vegetation. The islands are eroded and rebuilt rapidly in the apex area, where they have lateral migration rates of up to 150 m/a, with slower rates for the more seaward islands. Upstream from the apex the river gradually narrows to a width of 1.6 km or less. The Fly Delta exhibits a distinctive funnel shape in plan view, attesting to the fundamental role of tidal currents in shaping the Delta's geomorphology. Mean spring tidal ranges are amplified within the delta, from around 3.5 m at the seaward entrance of the distributary channels, reaching a peak of about 5 m at the delta apex.[17] Seismic profiles and radiometrically dated core samples indicate that the delta is prograding seawards at an average rate of about 6 m/a [18]

The Fly Delta is considered a global "type case" of a tide-dominated delta and the patterns of sedimentation seen in the delta today have been studied by sedimentary geologists as a model for interpreting the ancient rock record.[19]

The river delta is studded with low and swampy islands covered with mangroves and nipa palm, with villages and cultivated areas on these islands. The land on both sides of the estuary is of the same character. The islands in the estuary are flat and covered with thick, fertile alluvial soil. The largest islands are Kiwai Island, Purutu Island, Wabuda Island, Aibinio Island, Mibu Island, and Domori Island. Kiwai, Wabuda, and Domori are inhabited.

A list of the river delta islands is:

  • Dawari Island
  • Wariura Island
  • War Island
  • Kesuguruguru Island
  • Abaura Island
  • Abo Island
  • Boromura Island
  • Ura Island
  • Dogope Island
  • Sumogi Island
  • Sobowada Island
  • Abaurai Island
  • Samari
  • Reginimi Island
  • Dibiri Island
  • Sobuwabuda Island
  • Orope Island
  • Aeginimi Islands
  • Umuda Island
  • Midima Island
  • Domori Island
  • Dubuwaro Island
  • Kuragimini Island
  • Daura Island
  • Kunagimini Islands
Map of Fly River Delta

The inhabitants of the Fly River delta engage in agriculture and hunting. Coconut palm, breadfruit, plantain, sago palm, and sugar cane are grown.

Fly River turtle

[edit]

The Fly River turtle, also known as the Pig-nosed turtle due to its odd nose, is notably different from other turtles due to its pig-like nose. The only freshwater turtle to have flippers, the turtle is known to rarely leave water, except in dire circumstances. They are also known to be omnivores who rarely consume meat.

History

[edit]

The Fly was first discovered by Europeans in 1845 when Francis Blackwood, commanding the corvette HMS Fly, surveyed the western coast of the Gulf of Papua.[20] The river was named after his ship and he proclaimed that it would be possible for a small steam-powered boat to travel up the mighty river.[21]

In 1876, Italian explorer, Luigi D'Albertis, was the first person to successfully attempt this when he travelled 900 km into the interior of New Guinea, in his steamer, Neva. It was the furthest any European explorer had ever been into the island.[21]

Environmental issues

[edit]

Both the Strickland and the Ok Tedi Rivers have been the source of environmental controversy due to tailings waste from the Porgera Mine and the Ok Tedi Mine, respectively. Sediment sampling and coring in the distributary channels of the Fly Delta had not detected copper concentrations significantly higher than background as of 1994.[22] In 2008, Ian Campbell, a former advisor to Ok Tedi Mining Limited, claimed that company data suggest significant portions of the Fly River floodplain are at a high risk from acid mine drainage.[23]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i David, Lawrence; Tim, Cansfield-Smith (1990). "Sustainable Development for Traditional Inhabitants of the Torres Strait Region". hdl:11017/211.
  2. ^ a b c d "IUCN: The Fly River Catchment - A Regional Environmental Assessment". International Union for Conservation of Nature The Department of Environment and Conservation, Papua New Guinea. 1995. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e Joseph, Ba Irai (1996). A method of flood runoff estimation in an ungauged catchment (Ok Mani) in the highlands of Papua New Guinea (Thesis). Massey University. p. 35.
  4. ^ a b Andrea, S. Ogston; Richard, W. Sternberg; Charles, A. Nittrouer; D. Preston, Martin; Miguel, A. Goñi; John, S. Crockett (2008). "Sediment delivery from the Fly River tidally dominated delta to the nearshore marine environment and the impact of El Niño". Geophysical. 113: 18. doi:10.1029/2006JF000669.
  5. ^ "Fragmentation and Flow Regulation of the World's Major River Systems" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  6. ^ Frank Jacobs (March 13, 2012). "Who Bit My Border?". The New York Times.
  7. ^ p.159, Barrie R. Bolton. 2009. The Fly River, Papua New Guinea: Environmental Studies in an Impacted Tropical River System. Elsevier Science. ISBN 978-0444529640.
  8. ^ a b J. Wesley, Lauer; Gary, Parker; William, E. Dietrich (2008). "Response of the Strickland and Fly River confluence to postglacial sea level rise". Geophysical. 113: 22. doi:10.1029/2006JF000626.
  9. ^ a b c Geoff, Day; William, E. Dietrich; Joel, C. Rowland; Andrew, Marshall (2008). "The depositional web on the floodplain of the Fly River, Papua New Guinea". Geophysical. 113: 19. doi:10.1029/2006JF000622.
  10. ^ a b Barrie, Bolton (2009). THE FLY RIVER, PAPUA NEW GUINEA: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES IN AN IMPACTED TROPICAL RIVER SYSTEM. Elsevier Science. p. 620. ISBN 978-0-444-52964-0.
  11. ^ Peter, Townsend Harris (1994). "Incised Valleys and Backstepping Deltaic Deposits in a Foreland-Basin Setting, Torres Strait and Gulf of Papua, Australia". Ocean Sciences Institute. doi:10.2110/pec.94.12.0097. ISBN 978-1-56576-090-5.
  12. ^ Ernst, Löffler (1977). Geomorphology of Papua New Guinea (PDF).
  13. ^ a b c d e Andrew, Markham; Geoffrey, Day (1994). Sediment transport in the Fly River basin, Papua New Guinea (PDF). p. 233-239.
  14. ^ a b Jörg, Hettler; Bernd, Lehmann (1995). Environmental impact of large-scale mining in Papua New Guinea: Sedimentology and potential mobilization of trace metals from mine-derived material deposited in the Fly River Floodplain (PDF). p. 71.
  15. ^ "River Discharge and Reservoir Storage Changes Using Satellite Microwave Radiometry".
  16. ^ "Papua New Guinea".
  17. ^ Harris, P.T., Baker, E.K., Cole, A.R., Short, S.A., 1993. A preliminary study of sedimentation in the tidally dominated Fly River Delta, Gulf of Papua. Continental Shelf Research 13, 441-472.
  18. ^ Harris, P.T., Hughes, M.G., Baker, E.K., Dalrymple, R.W., Keene, J.B., 2004. Sediment transport in distributary channels and its export to the pro-deltaic environment in a tidally-dominated delta: Fly River, Papua New Guinea. Continental Shelf Research 24, 2431-2454.
  19. ^ Dalrymple, R. W., E. K. Baker, P. T. Harris and M. G. Hughes (2003) Sedimentology and stratigraphy of a tide-dominated, foreland-basin delta (Fly River, Papua New Guinea); Tropical Deltas of Southeast Asia and Vicinity - Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Petroleum Geology. F. H. Sidi, H. W. Posamentier, H. Darman, D. Nummedal and P. Imbert. Tulsa, Oklahoma, SEPM Special Publication 76. 76: 147–173.
  20. ^ "Francis Price Blackwood (1809–1854)". Blackwood, Francis Price (1809 - 1854). Australian Dictionary of Biography.
  21. ^ a b Lightbody, Mark; Wheeler, Tony (1985). Papua New Guinea: a travel survival guide (3 ed.). Lonely Planet. p. 172. ISBN 0-908086-59-8.
  22. ^ Harris, P.T., 2001. Environmental Management of Torres Strait: a Marine Geologist’s Perspective, in: Gostin, V.A. (Ed.), Gondwana to Greenhouse: environmental geoscience - an Australian perspective. Geological Society of Australia Special Publication, Adelaide, pp. 317-328.
  23. ^ "PNG warned of environmental mining disaster". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
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