| Paterson River | |
| Name Other: | Yimmang River, Cedar Arms River |
| Name Etymology: | In honour of William Paterson |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Australia |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | New South Wales |
| Subdivision Type3: | Region |
| Subdivision Name3: | NSW North Coast (IBRA), Hunter, Mid North Coast |
| Subdivision Type4: | Local government areas |
| Subdivision Name4: | Dungog |
| Subdivision Type5: | Towns |
| Subdivision Name5: | Gresford, Vacy, Paterson, Woodville, Hinton |
| Length: | 159km (99miles) |
| Source1: | Barrington Tops |
| Source1 Location: | near Careys Peak |
| Source1 Coordinates: | -32.062°N 151.4158°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 256m (840feet) |
| Mouth: | Hunter River |
| Mouth Location: | Hinton |
| Mouth Coordinates: | -32.7188°N 151.6427°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 3m (10feet) |
| River System: | Hunter River catchment |
| Tributaries Left: | Sheepstation Creek, Allyn River, Dunns Creek (New South Wales) |
| Tributaries Right: | Boonabilla Creek, Horse Creek (New South Wales), Fenwicks Creek |
| Custom Label: | National park |
| Custom Data: | Barrington Tops National Park |
| Extra: | [1] |
Paterson River, a perennial river that is part of the Hunter River catchment, is located in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales, Australia.
Paterson River rises in the Barrington Tops National Park, west by north of Careys Peak, and flows generally south and southeast, joined by six minor tributaries including the Allyn River at Vacy, before reaching its confluence with the Hunter River between Hinton and Morpeth. Between Hinton and Duns Creek, the Paterson River forms the border between the Port Stephens and Maitland local government areas. The river system courses through fertile the farming land of the Paterson and Allyn River Valleys and the historic Patersons Plains; descending over its course.[1]
The river is impounded by Lostock Dam, located 48km (30miles) downstream from the source in the Barringtons. The embankment dam was constructed by the New South Wales Department of Water Resources to supply water for irrigation and was completed in 1971.[2] [3] The river is tidal to above the village of Paterson and below Vacy.
Riverside towns within the Paterson's catchment include Gresford, Vacy, Paterson, Woodville and Hinton.
Colonel William Paterson surveyed the area along the river in 1801. Later Governor King named it in his honour.