NSW Crest
Home > Coastal and floodplains > Estuaries > Major Estuaries

Estuaries in NSW

Clyde River
Next South Next North
Batemans Bay Durras Lake
[Image of Estuary] Clyde River
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

River

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 2900 km2
Waterway Area 0 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open with a single training wall on the southern side
Location (Lat-Long) 35.708S ,  150.182E
Distance (from Sydney) 290 km South
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The major coastal town of Batemans Bay is located immediately south of the Clyde River entrance where it flows into Batemans Bay. Nelligen Creek and Cyne Mallowes Creek flow into the Clyde River just upstream of Nelligen, approximately 16 km from the entrance. Buckenbowra River forms another important tributary joining the main river from the south-west close to Big Island, some 8.5 km from the entrance. The Clyde River is navigable up to the junction of Cockwhy Creek, some 38 km from the entrance. The tidal limit is located upstream of Shallow Crossing, a causeway 4 km upstream of the navigable limit.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Clyde River
Cyne Mallowes Creek
Mundarlow Creek
Waterfall Creek
Buchenbowra River
Currowan Creek
Cockwhy Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Batemans Bay
Nelligen

Special Attributes

General

  • One of the few coastal rivers which transport fluvial sediment to the ocean.
  • Oyster leases occupy more than 60 km of river foreshore between the Princes Highway bridge at Batemans Bay and Nelligen, while a further 150 leases are without shoreline frontage - total oyster production 400 t/yr.
  • Recreation - considerable amateur fishing and motor boat racing is carried out in the summer months, particularly downstream from Big Island. Houseboats available.
  • Extremely popular holiday location, serving both Canberra residents and far flung Victorians.
  • Magnificent upper river scenery.
  • Both the Cullendulla Creek and Clyde River wetlands are listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia.
  • Mostly gravel bottom for the top half of the tidal section of the river.
  • Upper estuary is predominantly forested catchment.

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 3.310 unknown
Seagrass 0.786 r,z
Saltmarsh 0.521

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, extraction

Management Issues

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

Clyde River

Current Situation

Eurobodalla Shire Council has formed the Batemans Bay/Clyde River Estuary Management Committee to prepare and implement a management plan for the estuary.

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 commenced draft report prepared
Draft Estuary Management Plan commenced draft report prepared
Review Estuary Management Plan none
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Eurobodalla Shire Council Catherine Potter
Ph (02) 4474 1211

References

Local Government Areas

Eurobodalla

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Nelligen
Currowan
Mogo