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Estuaries in NSW

Shoalhaven and Crookhaven Estuaries
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Lake Wollumboola Crooked River
[Image of Estuary] Shoalhaven River - Crookhaven Entrance
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

River

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 7500 km2
Waterway Area 20 km2
Entrance Characteristics The Shoalhaven entrance is intermittently open and untrained and the Crookhaven entrance is permanently open with a single training breakwater
Location (Lat-Long) 34.901S ,  150.765E
Distance (from Sydney) 150 km South
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

Of the total 300 km length of the Shoalhaven River, the lower 50 km is subjected to tidal influence. The estuary has two entrances; one permanently open at Crookhaven Heads and the other intermittently open at Shoalhaven Heads approximately 5 km further north. Nowra is located 18 km upstream from the open Crookhaven Heads entrance.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Broughton Creek
Broughton Creek
Flat Rock Creek
Shoalhaven River
Berrys Canal
Crookhaven River

Population and Holiday Centres

Shoalhaven Heads
Orient Point
Greenwell Point
Nowra
Bomaderry

Special Attributes

General

  • Significant family holiday area.
  • Shoalhaven flood plain is one of the richest dairy areas in the State.
  • A valuable recreational waterway - excellent fishing and boating.
  • Fish, crustacean and mollusc producing estuary.
  • Comerong Island (between Shoalhaven and Crookhaven Heads) is a valuable ecological area comprising mature mangrove stands, wading areas for waterfowl and valuable fish nursery and foraging grounds.
  • Lower estuary provides habitat for large flocks of water birds.
  • One of the few NSW rivers discharging fluvial sand into the ocean.

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 4.180 av,ae
Seagrass 4.239 z,h
Saltmarsh 2.058

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, oyster, port, boating, tourism, industry, extraction, sewage

Management Issues

This estuary falls in the area covered by Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

Shoalhaven and Crookhaven Estuaries

Current Situation

The Shoalhaven River Natural Resource and Floodplain Management Committee has been established by Shoalhaven City Council to prepare a management plan for the Shoalhaven and Crookhaven Rivers.

Management Issues:

  • bank erosion.
  • freshwater flows.
  • water quality.

The Estuary Management Process 2

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

Contact Details

Shoalhaven City Council Martin Bergs
Ph (02) 4429 3111

References

Local Government Areas

Shoalhaven

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Berry
Nowra
Crookhaven
Burrier
Yalwal