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

Estuaries in NSW

Curalo Lake
Next South Next North
Twofold Bay Pambula Lake
[Image of Estuary] Curalo Lake
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Lake

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 31 km2
Waterway Area 0.9 km2
Entrance Characteristics Intermittently open and untrained
Location (Lat-Long) 37.050S ,  149.917E
Distance (from Sydney) 475 km South
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

Curalo Lake enters the ocean at the northern end of Aslings Beach approximately 2 km north-east of the major coastal town of Eden. The lake is shallow (typically less than 2 m deep) with low-lying foreshores surrounding its approximate 6 km perimeter. Palestine Creek forms the primary tributary flowing into the lake from the north-west.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Curalo Lake
Denn Creek
Freshwater Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Eden

Special Attributes

General

  • Much of the catchment, particularly to the north and west of the lake, is located within the Nullica State Forest, and to a lesser extent, the Ben Boyd National Park. The town of Eden is on its immediate western and southern shores.

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 0.185 z,r
Saltmarsh 0.090

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.

Curalo Lake

Current Situation

Bega Valley Council has formed the Eden Foreshore Committee to implement prepare a the estuary management plan for the estuary. The Committee has completed a number of works, including a well-used boardwalk on the southern shore for the lake and sediment controls in the catchment, as part of their management plan implementation.

Management Issues

  • artificial entrance openings.
  • stormwater inputs.
  • sedimentation.

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 none

Contact Details

Bega Valley Shire Council Derek van Bracht
Ph (02) 6499 2148

References

Local Government Areas

Bega Valley

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Eden