The Barwon River is a perennial river of the Corangamite catchment, located in The Otways and the Bellarine Peninsula regions of the Australian state of Victoria. Location and features Fed by the confluence of the East and West Branches of the river, the Barwon River rises in the Otway Ranges and flows generally north by east and then east, joined by thirteen tributaries including the Leigh and Moorabool rivers and flowing through Lake Connewarre, before reaching its mouth and emptying into Bass Strait at Barwon Heads. The river flows adjacent to the settlement of Winchelsea and the city of Greater Geelong. The estuarine section of the river forms part of the Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site as a wetland of international importance, as well as of the Bellarine Wetlands Important Bird Area. From its highest point including its source confluence, the river descends over its course. The river is crossed by a number of bridges in Geelong. Of particular note is the unusual one lane truss bridge in Newtown, Geelong. The "Breakwater" in East Geelong was constructed by Foster Fyans to supply drinking water. Water from the river feeds agriculture and industry. The river is a popular recreation spot for Geelong, with parklands such as Balyang Sanctuary along the banks, and sees use by water skiers and rowing regattas such as Head of the River. Etymology The river's name is derived from the Aboriginal word Parwan, meaning "magpie" or "great wide". In the Aboriginal Wathawurrung language the names for the river are Worragong, with no clearly defined meaning; Nellemengobeet, meaning "lagoon at mouth"; and also Barrwang, meaning "magpie". Towns Towns the river flows through include: Forrest Barwon Downs Birregurra Winchelsea Inverleigh Geelong Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Dams and weirs Ordered upstream to downstream: West Barwon Dam The West Barwon Dam was constructed near Forrest in 1965 by what is now Barwon Water. The dam is now the major water supply for Geelong. Buckley Falls Buckley Falls is located between Highton and Fyansford. A weir and water race was built above the falls in 1876 to provide power for the Fyansford Paper Mill. The falls were named by John Helder Wedge after escaped convict William Buckley, who lived in the area with Aborigines for 32 years from 1803. The "Breakwater" The "Breakwater" is located in the current Geelong suburb of the same name. Originally built to