DAWSON RIVER

'Dawson River' is a river in eastern Queensland, Australia. It originates in the Carnarvon Range and flows southeast for approximately 400 miles where it meets the Mackenzie River to become the Fitzroy River. Several weirs have been constructed along the river to provide water for cotton and dairy farming in the region. The area was explored in 1844 by Ludwig Leichhardt, and the river was named for Robert Dawson, one of the expedition's backers.