[3] The name means literally 'at the silver-leaved paperbark', referring to Melaleuca argentea, known as mardderr in the Kunwinjku language.

The estuary formed at the river mouth is in near pristine condition and occupies an area of 24.9 hectares (62 acres) of open water.

It is riverdominated in nature with a tide dominated delta having a single channel and is surrounded by an area of 11.2 square kilometres (4 sq mi) covered with mangroves.

[7] The riparian vegetation of the river is in good condition but are declining as a result of the proliferation of feral pigs and buffalo and the invasion of some weed species.

[8] 19 species of fish are found in the river including; the Macleay's Glassfish, Barred Grunter, Sooty Grunter, Fly-specked Hardyhead, Northern Trout Gudgeon, Gulf Saratoga, Barramundi, Oxeye Herring, Rainbowfish, Black-banded Rainbowfish, Bony Bream, Catfish, Freshwater Longtom, Seven-spot Archerfish and the Sleepy Cod.