Estuaries in NSW

Dalhousie Creek is a small coastal creek with its entrance just to the south of Hungry Head. The creek runs north just behind the sand dunes. The creek's catchment has been developed with significant dams upstream of the tidal limits, cut by the Pacific Highway - only 2km from the coast and cut by the northern railway 200m inland from the beach high water. Hungry Head is a relatively small feature on the coast and hence provides little protection for waves from either direction. This means that Dalhousie Creek is exposed to the full coastal processes, and as such would be expected to remain closed for the majority of the time. Hungry Head Beach to the north of the creek is the closest surfing spot for the township of Urunga. The creek is also a common recreational spot. The entrance used to be opened regularly to improve the water quality for swimming, but in recent years, the creek has opened naturally around twice a year.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Population and Holiday Centres

General

• Fresh water flow is controlled by upstream dams
• Major incursions into the catchment - highway and train line
• Recreational swimming/wading area for Urunga

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.

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

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

Dalhousie Creek

Local Government Areas

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)