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Estuaries in NSW

Camden Haven Estuary
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Manning Estuary Lake Innes and Lake Cathie
[Image of Estuary] Camden Haven Estuary
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Lake and river

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 720 km2
Waterway Area 27.8 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open and trained
Location (Lat-Long) 31.636S ,  152.837E
Distance (from Sydney) 380 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The estuary consists of two major lakes, Watson Taylor Lake and Queens Lake connected to the ocean by the Inlet of Camden Haven. The mean spring tidal ranges in Watson Taylor Lake and Queens Lake are approximately 0.37 m and 0.12 m respectively compared to an ocean range of 1.28 m at the entrance. The mean levels of Watson Taylor Lake and Queens Lake are 0.06 m and 0.02 m above mean sea level, respectively. Tidal influence up the Camden Haven River extends upstream of Kendall, a town some 22 km from the entrance. The adjacent towns of Laurieton, Dunbogan and North Haven are located close to the entrance. The surrounding landscape is dominated by the heavily forested North Brother Mountain, which rises almost 500 m above the towns. The approximate length of the Camden Haven River is 40 km.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Queens Lake
Limeburners Creek
Herons Creek
Camden Haven River
Watson Taylor Lake
Washtub Inlet
Stewarts River
Gogleys Lagoon
Mud Bay
Bensons Inlet
Herons Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

North Haven
Laurieton
Kendall

Special Attributes

General

  • Tourism - important recreational fishing.
  • Renowned scenery with excellent views from Big Brother and Middle Brother Mountains.
  • Major producer of crustacea (24 t/yr) and oysters (155 t/yr).
  • Small fishing port.
  • Abundant seagrass meadows.
  • Extensive protected waters for boating.
  • Waste-water treatment facility upstream at Kendall with 100% reuse.

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 1.408 av,ae,ex
Seagrass 10.250 z,h,r
Saltmarsh 0.768

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, sewage

Management Issues

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

Camden Haven Estuary

Current Situation

Hastings Shire Council's Camden Haven River Estuary Management Committee has prepared the Camden Haven River Estuary Management Plan. Implementation of the plan has commences with a community education program and the stabilisation of the Stingray Creek bank adjacent the Henry Kendall Reserve.

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 2000
Draft Estuary Management Plan completed 2000
Review Estuary Management Plan completed Adopted 2003
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Hastings Council Cliff Toms

References

Local Government Areas

Hastings

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Laurieton
Lorne
Grants Head
Byabarra