Purari River


The Purari is a river in that originates in the south central highlands especially in Kandep District of Enga Province of Papua New Guinea, flowing though the Gulf Province to the Gulf of Papua. The Purari has a drainage basin and is the third largest river in Papua New Guinea.

History

The headwaters of the river were charted in 1930 by Michael Leahy and Michael Dwyer.

Geography

It is fed mainly by the Kaugel, Erave, Lai, Tua and Pio rivers, starting just south of Mount Karimui at the junction of the Tua and Pio rivers, where it flows through a quite spectacular gorge before flowing out into the lowlands and delta country closer to the coast. River becomes tidal at substantial distance from the waters of Gulf of Papua.
The Purari is a heavy muddy brown from silts washed down from the mountains, and rises and falls constantly depending on local rainfall.

Biodiversity

The general area is heavy tropical jungle with high rainfall and abundant bird life.

Economy

Along the river in various places there are small human populations, mostly subsistence villages. Dugout canoes are seen along the river from Wabo downstream, however population is sparse until you get closer to the coast where there are a few more villages.

Hydroelectric plant

The governments of Papua New Guinea and Government of Queensland have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with PNG Energy Developments Ltd and Origin Energy to support the potential development of a renewable hydro electricity project based on the Purari.