| Rous River | |
| Name Other: | North Arm Tweed River |
| Name Etymology: | In honour of Henry John Rous |
| Map Size: | 250 |
| Pushpin Map: | Australia New South Wales |
| Pushpin Map Size: | 250 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | The mouth of the Rous River, located in New South Wales |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Australia |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | New South Wales |
| Subdivision Type3: | Region |
| Subdivision Name3: | NSW North Coast (IBRA), Northern Rivers |
| Subdivision Type4: | LGA |
| Subdivision Name4: | Tweed |
| Subdivision Type5: | City |
| Subdivision Name5: | Murwillumbah |
| Length: | 44km (27miles) |
| Source1: | Mount Hobwee, McPherson Range |
| Source1 Location: | near Numinbah |
| Source1 Elevation: | 217m (712feet) |
| Mouth: | confluence with the Tweed River |
| Mouth Location: | Tumbulgum |
| Mouth Coordinates: | -28.2739°N 153.4589°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 0m (00feet) |
| River System: | Tweed River catchment |
| Tributaries Left: | Crystal Creek (Rous), Nobbys Creek |
| Tributaries Right: | Hopkins Creek, Jacksons Creek (New South Wales) |
| Custom Label: | Nature reserve |
| Custom Data: | Limpinwood Nature Reserve |
| Extra: | [1] |
Rous River, a perennial river of the Tweed River catchment, is located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia.
Rous River rises below Mount Hobwee on the southern slopes of the McPherson Range, near Numinbah on the New South Wales-Queensland border,[2] and flows generally east by south, and then east, joined by four minor tributaries, before reaching its confluence with the Tweed River at Tumbulgum, northeast of Murwillumbah. The river descends over its 44km (27miles) course.[1]
In its upper reaches, Rous River is fed by a minor tributary, Hopkins Creek, on the southern slopes of the McPherson Range, south of Mount Merino; and downriver of Numinbah near the small villages of Chillingham, Jacksons Creek enters the river. In its lower reaches, Rous River is fed by two minor tributaries, Nobbys Creek and Crystal Creek that emerge from the Numinbah Nature Reserve, south of Springbrook.[2]
In January 2006, partially treated sewerage entered the river from emergency tanks and ponds after storage at the Murwillumbah treatment plant, which had been off-line due to damage, was filled beyond capacity.[3] Biological testing indicated the river water was hazardous which led to a temporary swimming ban.[4]
In 2007, the federal government proposed damming the Rous River, Oxley River and Byrrill Creek.[5] Local opposition to the plan was formed via the Save the Caldera Rivers Campaign, in an effort to stop the proposed dams from being built.