Sturt River floodwaters at the corner of Brighton Road and Pier Street, Glenelg. Sometimes known as Sturt Creek, its nearest point (when not in flood) to the site of this photograph is approximately 1.8 kilometres.

The Sturt River is the largest stream draining to the Patawalonga Basin. Upstream the River includes significant native vegetation. Downstream it is now a concrete drain.

Until the mid 20th century the lower Sturt Creek meandered through a shallow valley across alluvial flats which supported many orchards and vineyards in some sections and elsewhere stands of River Red Gums. Then the Glenelg North and Glengowrie stretches of the creek were straightened and concreted. Later widening of the channel was undertaken, and large trash racks installed to prevent debris being washed downstream. The concreting of the channel from Sturt Road to Tapleys Hill Road was completed in 1971. Above Sturt Road the creek flows through the Warriparinga Wetland before entering the hills above Darlington.