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Estuaries in NSW

Nelson Lagoon
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Bega River Middle Lagoon
[Image of Estuary] Nelson Lagoon
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Small coastal lake

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 29 km2
Waterway Area 1 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open, untrained
Location (Lat-Long) 36.686S ,  149.995E
Distance (from Sydney) 430 km South
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The majority of Nelson Lagoon is located within the Mimosa Rocks National Park (5,800 ha) which is considered one of the most picturesque of all NSW coastal parks.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Nelson Lagoon
Nelson Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Tathra

Special Attributes

General

  • Nelson Lagoon has been declared a recreational fishing haven.
  • Prawning in Nelson Lagoons is good in season.
  • Commercial oyster production is active in Nelson Lagoon.

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 0.491 av,ae
Seagrass 0.010 z,h
Saltmarsh 0.155

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

oyster

Management Issues

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

Nelson Lagoon

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) none
Assemble Existing Data none
Carryout Process Study none
Carryout Estuary Management Study none
Draft Estuary Management Plan none
Review Estuary Management Plan none
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
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)

Bega