The River Torrens (Karrawirra Parri) is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. The river is named after Colonel Robert Torrens, chairman of the colonial commissioners and a significant figure in the city's founding. The river is also known by the native Kaurna name for the river as it flows through the Adelaide parklands – Karrawirra Parri (karra meaning redgum, wirra meaning forest and parri meaning river).