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Estuaries in NSW

Narrabeen Lake
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Dee Why Lagoon Pittwater
[Image of Estuary] Narrabeen Lake
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Small coastal lake

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 55 km2
Waterway Area 2.2 km2
Entrance Characteristics Intermittently/mechanically opened, untrained
Location (Lat-Long) 33.704S ,  151.308E
Distance (from Sydney) 15 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

These estuaries are located within a 15 km stretch of coast along Sydney's northern beaches. Narrabeen Lake, significantly larger than the other three estuaries combined, has a spring tidal range of approximately 0.03 m compared to 1.32 m at the entrance - 85% of the tide range attenuation is due to losses across the entrance shoals downstream of the Ocean Street bridge. A rock reef within the entrance contributes to mean lake level super-elevation of 0.5 m.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Narrabeen Lake
Mullet Creek
Deep Creek
Middle Creek
South Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Narrabeen
North Narrabeen
Cromer

Special Attributes

General

  • Narrabeen, Curl Curl and Dee Why Lagoons contribute to scenic views from many of Sydney's northern beach suburbs.
  • Narrabeen Lakes in particular is an important recreational area - canoing/kayaking, sailboarding, fishing, nature observation and picnicking are most popular.
  • Important seagrass meadows are located in Narrabeen Lakes and Dee Why Lagoon. Remnants of rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and swampland near Narrabeen Lakes are good examples of ecosystems that have now largely disappeared from the Sydney area.
  • Significant habitats for bird life.

Estuarine Vegetation

The spatial data is reproduced from NSW Fisheries(2006/7) studies, whilst the species makeup is from the West et al.(1985). This map shows the spatial extent of the Estuarine Vegetation.

Type Area Species 1
(km2)
Mangroves 0.000
Seagrass 0.460 z,h
Saltmarsh 0.000

References

R.J. Williams, G. West, D. Morrison and R.G. Creese, (2006),
"Estuarine Resources of New South Wales",
prepared for the Comprehensive Coastal Assessment (DoP) by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens.

R.J. West, C.A. Thorogood, T.R. Walford and R.J. Williams. (1985).
"An Estuarine Inventory for New South Wales, Australia".
Fisheries Bulletin 2. Department of Agriculture, New South Wales.

Estuary Commerce

fishing, tourism, extraction

Management Issues

This estuary falls in the area covered by Sydney Metro Catchment Management Authority.

Narrabeen Lake

Current Situation

Pittwater and Warringah Councils have formed the Narrabeen Lagoon Joint Floodplain and Estuary Management Committee to prepare a management plan for Narrabeen Lagoon.

The plan was completed in March 2002 and is currently being implemented.

Management Issues

Key estuary management issues were broadly grouped into the following categories:

  • Water quality
  • Sedimentation
  • Ecology
  • Waterway & Foreshore Usage
  • Bank Erosion & Foreshore Management

Pittwater Council contact: Jennifer Pang Ph 9970 1111

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed 1999
Carryout Process Study completed 2001
Carryout Estuary Management Study completed 2002
Draft Estuary Management Plan completed 2002
Review Estuary Management Plan completed 2002
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Warringah Council Tim Meaker
Ph 9942 2663 Fax 9971 4522

References

Local Government Areas

Warringah
Pittwater

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Mona Vale