[7][8] The Thomson Valley was intensively mined for gold during the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

A short distance up that creek the gold mining township of Walhalla was established.

[11] This takes about 50% of the river's natural flow, which places a great environmental stress downstream.

[13][14] It has since been widened and deepened by subsequent floods, becoming a permanent waterway cutting through existing farms.

[15] The 170-metre (560 ft) Victorian heritage-listed diversion tunnel is located on the river near its junction with Coopers Creek (and the locality of Platina), approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south-west of Walhalla.