Estuaries in NSW

Merimbula Lake is a inlet/lake system comprising a natural entrance, inlet channel, substantial marine delta into a large medium depth (3-4 metres) basin, and a much smaller southern shallow (0.3m) basin. Much of the major basin has a rocky shoreline, whilst the small basin shoreline is mangrove and sand based. Merimbula is situated along the northern side of the inlet to Merimbula Lake. The Princes Highway joining Merimbula and Pambula (to the south) crosses the inlet at its narrowest point via a constrictive 250 m long causeway and relatively short bridge. The inlet and causeway offer considerable resistance to tidal penetration. Although the construction of the 200 m causeway in 1909 altered the hydraulic regime, records show the lower estuary channel and shoal patterns to be unchanged, suggesting that the impact of the causeway on overall hydraulics was not great. Mean lake level is super-elevated 0.25 m above mean sea level. Spring tidal velocities up to 2 m/s have been measured midway through the ebb cycle in the bridge throat area. There is no record of the entrance ever having been closed, and bar depths (1.4 m at low tide) are approximately unchanged since first European settlement.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Population and Holiday Centres

General

• Merimbula Lake features one of the best developed ebb tidal deltas along the NSW coast which has formed as a result of wave protection afforded by Merimbula Point.
• Recreational usage - activities include boating, fishing, prawning, swimming and walking on the intertidal shoals at low tide.
• Over 2 km² of seagrass meadows.
• Important oyster producer.

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 Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

Merimbula Lake

Local Government Areas

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)