Campaspe River

▪ river, Australia

      river in central Victoria, Australia. It rises in the Eastern Highlands 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Melbourne and flows northward past Kyneton, beyond which it is dammed to form the Eppalock Reservoir. It continues past Elmore to enter the Murray River near Echuca after a course of 105 miles (170 km). The river is part of Goulburn Irrigation System. Its drainage basin covers about 1,500 square miles (3,900 square km). The agricultural areas along its banks support sheep, dairy cattle, timber, wheat, and grapes. Sir Thomas Mitchell reached the river in 1836 and named it after the favourite mistress of Alexander the Great.

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