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Estuaries in NSW

Hawkesbury River


Tidal and Mangrove Limits

This pages show a summary of Tidal and Mangrove Limits for this estuary that has been collected under the Estuary Management Program, in conjunction with Manly Hydraulics Laboratory.

Methodology - Short Description

A full description of the reasoning and methodology of obtaining this data is available in the original report by Manly Hydraulics Laboratory MHL-Report 1286. A shortened version without the extensive tables of limits is available here (This file is 3.6Mbytes in size).

The Tidal Limit is defined as the maximum upstream location that a tidal variation in water level is observed. Using water level recorders, this point was determined for predicted ocean tide high water greater then 1.8m ISLW and no significant fresh water inflow into the estuary. Only waterways with a tidal extent greater then 2km were surveyed.

The Mangrove Limit was defined and surveyed as the most upstream location of a growing mangrove.

Explanation of Table Entries

  • Branch - Branch or tributary name
  • Limit - Tidal or mangrove limit
  • Date - Date or period that data was collected
  • Map - Map name of the 1:25000 NSW topographic map
  • Location - Map MGA coordinate of "Easting Northing (Zone)" in metres
  • Distance - Distance in kilometres upstream of estuary entrance
  • Comment - Description of the location or why there is no limit
 
Branch Limit Date Map Location Distance
Comment
Ettalong Creek Tidal 09/09/02 Broken Bay 342903E 6288740N (56) 0.85
Creek blocked by vegetation 50m upstream from Kahibah Creek

Mangrove 09/09/02 Broken Bay
No mangroves

Kahibah Creek Tidal 09/09/02 Broken Bay 342768E 6288715N (56) 0.9
Creek rises on upstream side of Ettalong Road bridge then thick grassy reeds

Mangrove 09/09/02 Broken Bay
No mangroves

Pearl Beach Lagoon Tidal 09/09/02 Broken Bay
Creek very rarely open to the ocean - not considered to be tidal

Mangrove 09/09/02 Broken Bay
No mangroves

Patonga Creek Tidal 22-23/12/99 Broken Bay 340113E 6289900N (56) 10
Creek junction 6.0km upstream from entrance

Mangrove 01/05/00 Broken Bay 339803E 6289835N (56) 9.6
5.7km upstream from entrance

Mullet Creek Tidal 21/12/99 Gosford 338813E 6293665N (56) 17.3
Gets through railway embankment at western end then disperses into wetland

Mangrove 21/12/99 Gosford 338813E 6293665N (56) 17.3
Mangroves on upstream side of railway embankment

Piles Creek Tidal 21-22/12/99 Gosford 338864E 6298350N (56) 28
Large rise in creek, 20m upstream from old walking track crossing

Mangrove Gosford 338659E 6298260N (56) 27.7
200m downstream from Great North Walk suspension bridge

Floods Creek Tidal 21-22/12/99 Gosford 337829E 6300965N (56) 30.7
Large rise in creek, 1.2km upstream from Mooney Mooney Creek

Mangrove Gosford 337554E 6300355N (56) 29.9
400m upstream from Mooney Mooney Creek

Mooney Mooney Creek Tidal 21-22/12/99 Gunderman 336719E 6301465N (56) 31.7
Rise in creek, 2.2km upstream from Floods Creek

Mangrove Gunderman 336879E 6300880N (56) 31
1.5km upstream from Floods Creek

Marlows Gully Tidal 07/05/01 Gunderman 330774E 6295090N (56) 29
Rise in creek at junction, 275m downstream from powerlines

Mangrove 07/05/01 Gunderman 330504E 6294965N (56) 28.7
2m high mangrove on left bank, 100m downstream from causeway

Kellys Creek Tidal 09/03/01 Gunderman 333154E 6299365N (56) 38.5
Tide follows new drainage network then would disperse into wetland in this vicinity, 1.3km upstream from Cabbage Tree Creek

Mangrove 09/03/01 Gunderman 332529E 6299710N (56) 37.2
Large mangrove on left bank, 250m upstream from Cabbage Tree Creek

Cabbage Tree Creek Tidal 09/03/01 Gunderman 332779E 6300355N (56) 37.2
Large rise in creek, 650m upstream from Kellys Creek

Mangrove 09/03/01 Gunderman 332464E 6300120N (56) 36.8
Four mangroves 2-3m high, right bank 625m upstream from Kellys Creek

Popran Creek Tidal 23-24/12/99 Gunderman 332404E 6303240N (56) 40.7
775m upstream from bridge near Hospital Gully

Mangrove 01/05/00 Gunderman 331659E 6301790N (56) 38.3
1.4km downstream from bridge near Hospital Gully

Hominy Creek Tidal 28/02/02 Gunderman 329439E 6301640N (56) 35.8
Small rise in creek 750m upstream from road

Mangrove 01/05/00 Gunderman 329309E 6301110N (56) 35.2
Large mature mangrove, 260m upstream from road bridge

Ironbark Creek Tidal 28/02/02 Gunderman 329324E 6304630N (56) 42.2
Rise in creek, 3.1km upstream from Mangrove Creek

Mangrove 01/05/00 Gunderman 328774E 6304430N (56) 40.3
Where track on left bank meets creek 1.2km upstream from Hawkesbury River

Bedlam Creek Tidal 28/02/02 Gunderman 328159E 6305440N (56) 41.3
Series of small rises in creek, 600m upstream from road bridge

Mangrove 01/05/00 Gunderman 327954E 6305100N (56) 40.8
150m upstream from road bridge

Mangrove Creek Tidal 23-24/12/99 Mangrove 327379E 6308915N (56) 47.2
Weir at pumping station

Mangrove 01/05/00 Mangrove 327304E 6308230N (56) 46.2
Small isolated seedlings on sandbar, 1.1km downstream from pumping station

Sugee Bag Creek Tidal 28/02/02 Gunderman 325704E 6305540N (56) 44.6
Access denied by Windara Park manager - tide could get to this point 1.6km upstream from Mangrove Creek according to manager

Mangrove 01/05/00 Mangrove 326859E 6305915N (56) 43
Confluence with Mangrove Creek

Birdseye Creek Tidal 28/02/02 Gunderman 327569E 6303100N (56) 38
Rise in north branch of creek at downstream end of road culverts

Mangrove 01/05/00 Gunderman 327454E 6303030N (56) 37.9
50m upstream from bridge

Screech Owl Creek Tidal 28/02/02 Gunderman 327444E 6302190N (56) 36.9
Tide disperses into wetland in this vicinity 400m upstream from road

Mangrove 01/05/00 Gunderman 327544E 6301970N (56) 36.7
Large mangrove in drainage channel, 200m upstream from road

Dinner Creek (North) Tidal 17-18/2/00 Gunderman 326979E 6300865N (56) 36.4
Heavy reed growth 20m upstream from old concrete block dam/culvert

Mangrove 14/07/00 Gunderman
Above mangrove limit

Dinner Creek (South) Tidal 17-18/2/00 Gunderman 326819E 6300625N (56) 36.5
Tide would get to crossing 325m upstream from north branch

Mangrove 14/07/00 Gunderman 327044E 6300730N (56) 36.2
25m downstream from junction with north branch

Scotchmans Creek Tidal 28/02/02 Gunderman 328319E 6298485N (56) 31.5
Large rise in creek 300m upstream from road

Mangrove 28/02/02 Gunderman 328399E 6298430N (56) 31.4
Right bank 5m high, 200m upstream from road

Breakfast Creek Tidal 28/02/02 Gunderman 327179E 6296465N (56) 29.9
Reed growth would stop tide 375m upstream from road

Mangrove 28/02/02 Gunderman 327279E 6296455N (56) 29.8
Right bank 2m high, 230m upstream from road

Gunderman Creek Tidal 17-18/2/00 Gunderman 321469E 6298345N (56) 45.9
Tide disperses into heavy reed growth 1.4km upstream from bridge

Mangrove 19/07/00 Gunderman 320864E 6398130N (56) 45.1
Mangroves on left bank 560m upstream from road bridge

Mill Creek Tidal 28/02/02 Gunderman 317429E 6303290N (56) 53.5
Heavy reed growth stops tide, 1.9km upstream from Hawkesbury River

Mangrove 14/07/00 Gunderman 316844E 6303120N (56) 52.6
Large mangrove 200m upstream from old culvert

Roses Creek Tidal 28/02/02 Gunderman 314604E 6303050N (56) 54
Leakage through floodgates disperses into wetland 50m upstream from road

Mangrove 14/07/00 Gunderman 314744E 6302715N (56) 53.6
Mangroves just upstream of floodgate

Wrights Creek Tidal 17-20/2/00 St Albans 313204E 6313045N (56) 74.3
Near bridge, 3.1km upstream from Macdonald River

Mangrove 14/07/00 St Albans
Above mangrove limit

Macdonald River Tidal 17-20/2/00 St Albans 310619E 6312085N (56) 73
In this vicinity, 1.9km upstream from Wrights Creek

Mangrove 14/07/00 St Albans 309694E 6307625N (56) 63.6
Three small seedlings on left bank opposite Killarney farm

Webbs Creek Tidal 17-20/2/00 St Albans 307779E 6308015N (56) 70
820m upstream from bridge

Mangrove 14/07/00 Lower Portland 310104E 6304450N (56) 64
Left bank 200m upstream from bridge to Castle Mountain camp

Doyles Creek Tidal 01/02/02 Lower Portland 309174E 6303460N (56) 65.2
Tide disperses into wetland in this vicinity, 1.6km upstream from Webbs Creek

Mangrove 14/07/00 Lower Portland
No mangroves

Colo River Tidal 18-20/2/00 Lower Portland 294179E 6300540N (56) 96.4
6.8km upstream from Putty Road bridge, might get 500m further upstream

Mangrove 14/07/00 Lower Portland
Above mangrove limit

Wheeny Creek Tidal Historical Lower Portland 296564E 6298925N (56) 91.8
775m upstream from Colo River at bridge on road to Upper Colo

Mangrove 14/07/00 Lower Portland
Above mangrove limit

Roberts Creek Tidal 27/02/02 Lower Portland 301659E 6293170N (56) 89.2
Tide gets to vicinity of old timber bridge, 1.0km from Hawkesbury River

Mangrove 27/02/02 Lower Portland
Above mangrove limit

Howes Creek Tidal 27/02/02 Wilberforce 301754E 6290115N (56) 94.5
Reed growth would stop tide within 150m of Currency Creek

Mangrove 27/02/02 Wilberforce
Above mangrove limit

Currency Creek Tidal 27/02/02 Wilberforce 301904E 6289910N (56) 94.5
Small rise and reed growth, 1.3km upstream from Sackville Road

Mangrove 27/02/02 Wilberforce
Above mangrove limit

Hawkesbury River Tidal 20/02/00 Kurrajong
Fully tidal to junction with Grose River, upstream from here known as Nepean River

Mangrove 14/07/00 Lower Portland 307824E 6299965N (56) 68
Right bank on Upper Half Moon Bend - small mangrove in rocks below road

Grose River Tidal 21/02/00 Kurrajong 286219E 6278720N (56) 138.3
Small rise in river 200m upstream from junction with Nepean River

Mangrove 14/07/00 Kurrajong
Above mangrove limit

Nepean River Tidal 20/02/00 Kurrajong 286604E 6278360N (56) 138.5
Rise in river under Yarramundi Bridge

Mangrove 14/07/00 Kurrajong
Above mangrove limit

Rickabys Creek Tidal 11/07/02 Wilberforce 296744E 6279255N (56) 122.4
Large rise in creek directly under Cornwallis Bridge

Mangrove 14/07/00 Wilberforce
Above mangrove limit

South Creek Tidal 19-21/2/00 Riverstone 297414E 6271455N (56) 132.4
Large rise in creek 190m downstream from Richmond Road bridge

Mangrove 14/07/00 Wilberforce
Above mangrove limit

Eastern Creek Tidal 4-5/5/00 Riverstone 299229E 6273435N (56) 130
Large old weir 2.9km upstream from South Creek

Mangrove 14/07/00 Riverstone
Above mangrove limit

McKenzies Creek Tidal 19/02/00 Wilberforce 300639E 6279215N (56) 122.3
Not tidal at Pitt Town Road bridge

Mangrove 14/07/00 Wilberforce
Above mangrove limit

Cattai Creek Tidal 18-19/2/00 Wilberforce 309009E 6282395N (56) 118.4
Rise in creek at bridge on Cattai Ridge Road

Mangrove 14/07/00 Wilberforce
Above mangrove limit

Little Cattai Creek Tidal 18-19/2/00 Wilberforce 307234E 6286840N (56) 108.1
Tidal at least to this point, 425m upstream from Wisemans Ferry Road bridge

Mangrove 14/07/00 Wilberforce
Above mangrove limit

Doyles Swamp Tidal 11/07/02 Lower Portland 306379E 6296745N (56) 83.5
Not tidal at this point 1.6km upstream from Hawkesbury River

Mangrove 14/07/00 Lower Portland
Above mangrove limit

Dalgetys Creek Tidal 07/05/01 Gunderman 317684E 6298070N (56) 47.3
Tidal at least to this vicinity, 1.2km upstream from Hawkesbury River

Mangrove 07/05/01 Gunderman 318144E 6298025N (56) 46.8
Mangroves 2 and 5m high, right bank,700m upstream from Hawkesbury River

Ashdale Creek Tidal 19/02/00 Gunderman 319469E 6295690N (56) 44.5
Small rise in creek 300m upstream from Layburys Creek

Mangrove 19/07/00 Gunderman
Above mangrove limit

Layburys Creek Tidal 19/02/00 Gunderman 319694E 6295325N (56) 44.4
Tidal for 200m from Ashdale Creek

Mangrove 19/07/00 Gunderman 319914E 6295535N (56) 44
Four mature trees 10m high right bank, 200m downstream from Ashdale Creek

Pumpkin Point Creek Tidal 06/12/01 Gunderman 326429E 6292715N (56) 25.9
No defined creek, heavy reed and grass growth, 1.25km SE from Ivory Trig

Mangrove 06/12/01 Gunderman 326479E 6292760N (56) 25.8
Mangroves dispersed through wetland in this vicinity, 1.25km SE from Ivory Trig 50m downstream from tidal limit

Marramarra Creek Tidal 22-24/12/99 Cowan 321324E 6288740N (56) 31.6
Large rise in creek, 2.3km upstream from powerlines

Mangrove 01/05/00 Cowan 321504E 6288830N (56) 31.4
Small clump of seedlings 2.0km upstream from powerlines

Coba Creek Tidal 05/12/01 Cowan 324713E 6286470N (56) 27
Heavy reed growth starts here 3.6km upstream from Coba Point

Mangrove 05/12/01 Cowan 324943E 6286395N (56) 26.7
Right bank 5-6m high in wetland, 25m from creek

Calabash Creek Tidal 05/12/01 Cowan 323553E 6282915N (56) 34.1
Rocky rise in creek, 2.3km upstream from Calabash Point

Mangrove 05/12/01 Cowan 323683E 6282700N (56) 33.8
Right bank 6m high, 2.0km upstream from Calabash Point

Banks Creek Tidal 05/12/01 Cowan 323758E 6281860N (56) 33.3
Rocky rise in creek, 1.4km upstream from Calabash Point

Mangrove 05/12/01 Cowan 323873E 6281940N (56) 33.2
Right bank 1m high, 1.3km upstream from Calabash Point

Fosters Creek Tidal 05/12/01 Cowan 324508E 6281615N (56) 32.7
Large rock rise in creek, 800m upstream from Calabash Point

Mangrove 05/12/01 Cowan 324508E 6281620N (56) 32.7
Right bank 0.5m high, 795m upstream from Calabash Point

Crossland Creek Tidal 05/12/01 Cowan 325418E 6280475N (56) 33.7
Rocky rise 350m upstream from footbridge near Dusthole Bay near car ferry

Mangrove 05/12/01 Cowan 325433E 6280505N (56) 33.7
Left bank 4m high, 300m upstream from footbridge near Dusthole Bay near car ferry

Still Creek Tidal 05/12/01 Hornsby 324073E 6277605N (56) 39.2
Rocky rise in creek, 1.1km upstream from Berowra Creek

Mangrove 05/12/01 Hornsby 324108E 6277690N (56) 39.1
Left bank two seedlings 70m downstream from tidal limit

Berowra Creek Tidal 9-11/1/97 Hornsby 323738E 6275260N (56) 41.1
At rocky rapids, 200m upstream from 132kV powerlines

Mangrove 09/01/97 Hornsby 323853E 6275645N (56) 40.6
Right bank near large rock in creek, 260m downstream from powerlines

Lyrebird Gully Tidal 05/12/01 Hornsby 325433E 6276660N (56) 37.7
Large rocky rise in creek, 1.2km upstream from Berowra Creek

Mangrove 05/12/01 Hornsby 325523E 6277035N (56) 37.2
Left bank 1m high, 750m upstream from Berowra Creek

Sams Creek Tidal 05/12/01 Cowan 326468E 6278175N (56) 36.1
Rocky rise 30m upstream from walking track crossing

Mangrove 05/12/01 Cowan 326473E 6278255N (56) 36
Left bank 1m high, 450m upstream from Berowra Creek

Mougamarra Creek Tidal 06/12/01 Cowan 330158E 6287220N (56) 23.1
Large rise in creek, 1.7km upstream from Mougamarra Point

Mangrove 06/12/01 Cowan 330113E 6287355N (56) 23
Right bank 7m high, 125m downstream from tidal limit

Seymours Creek Tidal 06/12/01 Cowan 332638E 6286280N (56) 14.7
Heavy reed and grass growth starts 80m upstream from Brooklyn Road

Mangrove 06/12/01 Cowan 332653E 6286305N (56) 14.7
Mangroves extend 60m upstream from Brooklyn Road

Sandbrook Inlet Tidal 09/09/02 Cowan 335588E 6287300N (56) 16.7
No creek but tide would get to this point near railway tunnel on Long Island

Mangrove 09/09/02 Cowan 335578E 6287280N (56) 16.7
Seedling in rock embankment near railway tunnel on Long Island

Porto Gully Tidal 06/12/01 Cowan 333713E 6284550N (56) 11.1
Rocky rise in creek, 1.3km upstream from Mud Point

Mangrove 06/12/01 Cowan 333723E 6284530N (56) 11.1
Right bank 5m high, 1.3km upstream from Mud Point

Campbells Creek Tidal 06/12/01 Cowan 333753E 6284140N (56) 11
Heavy grass growth 1.2km upstream from Mud Point

Mangrove 06/12/01 Cowan 333758E 6284190N (56) 11
Left bank 6m high, 8m away from creek, 1.2km upstream from Mud Point

Yatala Creek Tidal 06/12/01 Cowan 331493E 6281590N (56) 11.6
Small rocky rise, 70m upstream from left bank side creek

Mangrove 06/12/01 Cowan 331718E 6281600N (56) 11.8
Left bank 1m high, 200m downstream from tidal limit

Apple Tree Creek Tidal 06/12/01 Hornsby 328338E 6274460N (56) 19.5
Large rock rise upstream from this point, 800m upstream from Apple Tree Bay

Mangrove 06/12/01 Hornsby 328353E 6274490N (56) 19.5
Left bank 1.5m high, 765m upstream from Apple Tree Bay

Cockle Creek Tidal 19/07/00 Hornsby 328278E 6272625N (56) 21.9
Large rise in creek under powerlines

Mangrove 19/07/00 Hornsby 328333E 6272830N (56) 21.7
Left bank 200m downstream from powerlines

Cowan Creek Tidal 09/01/97 Hornsby 330078E 6270850N (56) 23.7
Large rise in creek 100m upstream from Kierans Creek

Mangrove 09/01/97 Hornsby 330128E 6270915N (56) 23.6
Small mangroves on right bank, 15m upstream from Kierans Creek

Kierans Creek Tidal 9-10/1/97 Hornsby 330363E 6270765N (56) 23.9
Rise in creek 275m upstream from Cowan Creek

Mangrove 09/01/97 Hornsby 330143E 6270930N (56) 23.6
Mangroves on left bank at junction with Cowan Creek

Smiths Creek (South) Tidal 27/08/00 Hornsby 333978E 6274260N (56) 18.6
Sloping rock rise in creek, 250m upstream from east branch

Mangrove 27/08/00 Hornsby 334028E 6274320N (56) 18.5
Right bank 1m high, 165m upstream from east branch

Smiths Creek (East) Tidal 27/08/00 Hornsby 334833E 6273502N (56) 19.7
Rocky rise in creek, 80m upstream from left bank side creek

Mangrove 27/08/00 Hornsby 334728E 6273885N (56) 19.2
Left bank less than 1m high, 900m upstream from south branch

Coal and Candle Creek Tidal 27/08/00 Hornsby 337728E 6275740N (56) 17.2
Rocky rise in creek, 1.2km upstream from Akuna Bay

Mangrove 27/08/00 Hornsby 337718E 6275740N (56) 17.2
Left bank 1.5m high, 1.2km upstream from Akuna Bay

The Basin Tidal 06/12/01 Broken Bay 340803E 6280240N (56) 6.1
The Basin would be tidal to western shore of estuary

Mangrove 06/12/01 Broken Bay 340803E 6280240N (56) 6.1
Mangroves extend to this vicinity at western end of The Basin

Salvation Creek Tidal 06/12/01 Mona Vale 339488E 6277360N (56) 10.2
Rocky rise at upstream end of shallow pool, 1.4km from Rocky Point

Mangrove 06/12/01 Mona Vale 339633E 6277325N (56) 10
Right bank 3-4m high, 1.2km upstream from Rocky Point

McCarrs Creek Tidal 9-10/1/97 Mona Vale 339078E 6274425N (56) 10.6
Rocky rise in creek, 2.7km upstream from Church Point

Mangrove 09/01/97 Mona Vale 339203E 6274480N (56) 10.4
2.7km upstream from Church Point

Cahill Creek Tidal 06/10/00 Mona Vale 341688E 6273120N (56) 11.3
Tide would get to this vicinity, 1.5km upstream from Pittwater

Mangrove 06/10/00 Mona Vale 342088E 6273140N (56) 10.8
760m upstream from Pittwater at High School

Careel Creek Tidal 06/10/00 Mona Vale 345318E 6277295N (56) 7.5
Tide would get to vicinity of footbridge near end of Central Road

Mangrove 06/10/00 Mona Vale 345403E 6277610N (56) 7.2
325m upstream from Barrenjoey Road