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Estuaries in NSW

Lake Wollumboola
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Currambene Creek Shoalhaven and Crookhaven Estuaries
[Image of Estuary] Lake Wollumboola
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Lake

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 35 km2
Waterway Area 6.2 km2
Entrance Characteristics Intermittently open and untrained
Location (Lat-Long) 34.940S ,  150.777E
Distance (from Sydney) 172 km South
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

Lake Wollumboola is situated between Culburra Beach (north) and Currarong Road (south) at the northern end of the Beecroft Peninsula. The lake does not possess an inlet channel - after periods of sufficient rainfall, the lake breaches directly across Warrain Beach to form the entrance. Lake Wollumboola is recognised for its conservation attributes, and in 2002 was included in the Jervis Bay National Park. Large numbers of migratory birds visit the lake including over twenty species protected by international treaties. Protected species such as the Little Tern and Green and Golden Bell frog breed on the foreshores of the lake.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Lake Wollumboola
Coonemia Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Culburra

Special Attributes

General

  • Over 1 km2 of seagrass meadows.
  • Large numbers of migratory bird species visit the lake.
  • Endangered species such as Little Tern, Green and Golden Bell Frog and Wilsonia rotundifolia are present.
  • Depending upon water levels the lake is utilised for a range of water sports and activities.

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 1.340 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

Management Issues

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

Lake Wollumboola

Current Situation

Shoalhaven City Council formed the Lake Wollumboola Estuary Management Task Force to prepare the Lake Wollumboola Estuary Management Plan. With gazetting of the lake as part of the Jervis Bay National Park the Lake Wollumboola Reference Group was established by Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) to oversee preparation of the Lake Wollumboola component of the Jervis Bay National Park Plan of Management.. The NSW Government is preparing a Sustainability Assessment for Lake Wollumboola, as recommended by the Healthy Rivers Commission Inquiry into Coastal Lakes.

Management Issues.

  • The lake produces large amounts of Hydrogen-Sulphide (rotten egg gas) that poses a nuisance for some local residents.
  • Issues relating to management of the entrance.
  • Development pressures.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed
Carryout Process Study completed
Carryout Estuary Management Study completed
Draft Estuary Management Plan completed
Review Estuary Management Plan completed
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process commenced

Contact Details

Shoalhaven City Council Martin Bergs
Ph (02) 4429 3111

References

Local Government Areas

Shoalhaven

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Nowra
Crookhaven