Derwent River

Rising in Tasmania?s Central Highlands at Lake St Clair, the Derwent River descends 2300 feet over 200 kilometres. Named after the River Derwent in Cumbria in England, this fascinating river is primarily used for boating, marine transportation, industry, and recreational purposes. Various tributaries of this river are also useful in the generation of hydro-electricity with several dams being built on them in the 20th century. The lower Derwent river is the primary source of water supply for Hobart, the capital of Tasmania.