River Torrens

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{{Infobox_river

 | river_name = River Torrens
 | image_name = fromthetorrens.jpg
 | caption = Adelaide from the River Torrens
 | origin = Mount Pleasant
 | mouth = West Beach
 | basin_countries = 
 | length =  85 km (52.8 mi)
 | elevation = 
 | discharge =  
 | watershed =

}} The River Torrens has its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant, and flows westwards through Birdwood and Gumeracha. The Millbrook and Kangaroo Creek Reservoirs provide water storage for the city of Adelaide. The Torrens continues down through Torrens Gorge into the suburbs at Athelstone. The Adelaide O-Bahn busway follows the Torrens Valley through the suburbs. The Torrens passes between the Adelaide city centre and North Adelaide. There is a weir downstream of here, providing a small lake in the parklands extending upstream to the Adelaide Zoo. The river continues the remaining eight kilometres to the sea at West Beach, emptying into Gulf St. Vincent.

The river was discovered in November 1836 by G.S. Kingston, and was named by Colonel Light after Colonel Robert Torrens, the Chairman of the South Australian Colonisation Commissioners. Image:Torrenspopeye.jpg Elder Park, situated on the south bank of Torrens Lake, is often an area of activity, being part of the cultural and governmental precinct of North Terrace. The Tasting Australia festival, held annually, is one of the events which is based in Elder Park. The Popeye is a tourist boat which departs from Elder Park, and is an attraction quite popular with families, both local and visiting. Somewhat of an Adelaide icon, the Popeye is viewed affectionately by Adelaideans, even if quite aged.

Note that it is always referred to with the honorific "River" first, though this is not common practice in the region. For example, another notable river is named the Onkaparinga River.

The river was the site of a notorious murder, in which University of Adelaide law lecturer George Duncan was thrown into the river, adjacent to the university.

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Bridges

Due to the centrality of the river through the city, transport from one side to another necessitated the construction of bridges. Some of these include (incomplete listing - please add more)

1845, Hackney Bridge, also known as the Company Bridge, was built so that wheat farmers from the northern side could access the South Australian Company's flour mill which occupied the site where the Hackney Hotel now stands.
1859, Old Frome Bridge, now known as the Albert Bridge was built adjacent to the Adelaide Zoo on Frome Road.
1873, Felixstowe Bridge, on OG Road, reconstructed in 1892, 1901, 1924 and 1961. The first bridge was narrow, and hay-laden carts often brushed the posts, damaging them.
1877, Tennyson Bridge, on Stephen Terrace, replacing a ford which stood there.
1970 Ascot Bridge, built to connect Ascot Avenue and Lower Portrush Road.
1977 Dickson's Crossing, on Darley Road, replacing a ford.