[talk-au] Proposed deletion of part of the Gwydir River

[Andrew Harvey]

I think you've done a top job detailing the situation, so I'd go with your
findings from on the ground.

We're not here to simply mirror the NSW LPI Base Map, so I wouldn't worry
too much about what it says.

On Mon, 24 Jun 2019 at 18:25, cleary <osm at 97k.com> wrote:

> In the past, I added some parts of the Gwydir River to the map using the
> NSW LPI Base Map because I could not see a clear waterway on satellite
> imagery. Since then, I have visited the area twice and cannot actually find
> a river where it is shown on the map. Much of the "river" is in private
> property but public roads cross waterways at various locations.
>
> The western end of the Gwydir River seems not to exist except on the NSW
> LPI Base Map and maps which have used it as a source (including OSM).
>
> As far as I can ascertain, the river used to dissipate into wetlands and,
> if there was enough water, the seepage from the wetlands re-formed into
> waterways. However intensive irrigation has resulted in such low water flow
> that the wetlands are largely dust and water seems never to flow beyond
> them (except perhaps in major flood events which are relatively rare).
> Water from the eastern Gwydir may flow west to the Barwon River via Carole
> Creek into Gil Gil Creek, via the Gingham Watercourse and via the Mehi
> River.  But the so-called Gwydir River, west of the wetlands, does not
> appear to exist except on the LPI Map. And part that of the waterway that
> does exist is signposted by the Moree Plains Shire Council with a different
> name (Big Leather Watercourse) at the two places where it crosses public
> roads.  GNB uses this name for another branch of the river nearer to Moree
> but locals, including the local council, seem to have a different view.
>
> When visiting the area, I found water to be difficult to discuss with
> locals as there are some strong points of view. Maintaining a river on the
> map may be a political imperative for government but is not consistent with
> OSM's philosophy of mapping what is actually on the ground at particular
> locations.
>
> After reflection, I think the Gwydir River does not really exist west of
> the wetlands and I think it should be deleted from OSM, even though it is
> shown on the LPI Base Map. I propose to delete this section of the river
> and follow the local council signposted name for the more westerly waterway
> that does actually exist at Morialta and Watercourse Roads.
>
> I would appreciate any views on this issue.
>
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