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Estuaries in NSW

Conjola Lake
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Narrawallee Inlet Nerrindillah Creek
[Image of Estuary] Conjola Lake
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Lake

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 145 km2
Waterway Area 5.9 km2
Entrance Characteristics Mostly open and untrained
Location (Lat-Long) 35.268S ,  150.508E
Distance (from Sydney) 210 km South
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

Conjola Lake is located approximately 10 km north of Ulladulla, entering the ocean at the northern end of Conjola Beach. The southern shoreline of the lake is reasonably accessible from the Lake Conjola Entrance Road which joins the township of Lake Conjola with the Princes Highway. Pattimores Lagoon, a semi-saline although poorly ventilated lake some 0.2 km2 in size and located south of the township of Lake Conjola connects to the main lake inlet channel via a small creek. Berringer Lake is a larger tributary lake, joining the main inlet channel alongside Chinaman's Island, approximately 1 km from the ocean entrance. The main lake and basins are edged with natural rock.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Conjola Lake
Conjola Creek
Berringer Lake
Pattimores Lagoon
Gooloo Creek
Bunnair Creek
Luncheon Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Lake Conjola
Cunjurong
Fishermans Paradise

Special Attributes

General

  • Parts of the catchment to the north are within the Conjola National Park.
  • Popular holidaying area - excellent boating waterway.
  • Has been declared a recreational fishing haven.

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 0.001 unknown
Seagrass 0.166 z,h
Saltmarsh 0.027

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

none listed

Management Issues

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

Conjola Lake

Current Situation

The Southern Shoalhaven Natural Resource and Floodplain Management Committee has been established by Shoalhaven City Council to oversee implementation of the Lake Conjola Estuary Management Plan.

Management Issues

  • Management of entrance openings.
  • Large outbreak of invasive seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia.

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)

Tianjara
Milton
Cunjurong Point