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

Estuaries in NSW

Clarence River
Next South Next North
Lake Arragan Jerusalem Creek
[Image of Estuary] Clarence River
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

River

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 22400 km2
Waterway Area 89 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open with twin training breakwaters
Location (Lat-Long) 29.427S ,  153.372E
Distance (from Sydney) 680 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The towns of Iluka and Yamba are located north and south of the entrance respectively, with Grafton some 60 km upriver. The approximate length of the river is 250 km, the limit of tidal influence being Smiths Falls near Copmanhurst, about 105 km from the ocean. The mean spring tidal range at the entrance is 1.34 m. The maximum tidal flow through the entrance for a mean spring tide is 2,500 m3/s. The entrance has been progressively trained since 1862. The major training breakwaters which project seawards into depths of 7 m were built between 1950 and 1971. The existing ruling navigable depth through the entrance is approximately 5 m below low water.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Woram Creek
Clarence River
The Broadwater
Back Channel
North Arm
South Arm
Coldstream River
Palmers Channel
Romiaka Channel
Freeburn Island Channel
Yamba Channel
Oyster Channel
Shallow Channel
Wooloweyah Estuary
North Arm
Freeburn Island Channel

Population and Holiday Centres

Iluka
Yamba
Maclean
Ulmarra
Grafton
Harwood
Lawrence
Brushgrove
Copmanhurst

Special Attributes

General

  • Important tourist destination.
  • The fishing fleet based in the estuary is the largest in NSW - fish and prawn production is also the largest at over 800 t/yr and 280 t/yr respectively, or 18% and 35% respectively of the total NSW estuarine catch.
  • Second largest estuarine seagrass coverage (19 km2) and extensive mangrove stands - important aquatic bird habitat.
  • Largest of all NSW coastal rivers - flows up to 16,800 m3/s have been recorded at Grafton while the average annual discharge is approximately 3.7 x 106 ML/yr.
  • Yuraygir National Park adjoins Wooloweyah Lagoon between Maclean and Yamba.
  • Thirty threatened bird species have been recorded in the Clarence, of which 75% are waders.
  • About 53,000 hectares of high risk acid sulfate soils underlie the Clarence coastal floodplain.
  • Some 77 Aboriginal sites are entered in the NPWS Aboriginal Sites Register for the lower Clarence Valley.
  • The Clarence estuary is host to the only river port for commercial coastal shipping on the north coast of NSW.

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 7.653 av,ae,ex,br
Seagrass 0.826 z,h,r
Saltmarsh 2.901

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, oyster, port, tourism, sewage

Management Issues

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

Clarence River

Management Issues

  • Protection and rehabilitation of riparian, wetland and aquatic habitats.
  • Disturbance/exposure of acid sulfate soils.
  • Impacts of flood protection and floodplain drainage on the health of tributaries and the main estuary.
  • Sedimentary processes and dredging to provide navigation and sand resources.
  • Urban growth.
  • Sustainable fishery resources.
  • Improved awareness and management of cultural heritage values.
  • Integrated management to deliver continuity in management programs.

The Clarence River Estuary Management Committee was formed by Maclean Shire Council in 1995 to oversee the development of an Estuary Management Plan for the Clarence River, with the aim to manage, protect, enhance and rehabilitate natural attributes of the Clarence estuary.

Early in its term, the Committee resolved to prepare an Estuary Management Plan under the guidelines of the state Government's Estuary Management Manual.In addition to its planning role, the Committee also provides a forum for community input into and discussion on the ongoing management of the Clarence River Estuary as various issues arise, for example, waterways management, environmental concerns, urban stormwater management, community awareness and education.

Planning Outcomes

  • A data compilation study was completed in March 1995, being stage 2 of the planning process as outlined in the guidelines of the State Government's Estuary management Manual.
  • The Committee prepared an Issues/Network Matrix in 1996  which identified all management issues affecting the estuary, and relevant activities, committees and processes currently in place to address these issues.
  • A processes study for the estuary was completed in July 2000, with the next stages of the planning process, the management study and management plan completed in 2002 and 2003 respectively.

The final plan was completed in October 2003 and adopted by the lower Clarence councils. Implementation of actions targeting integrated floodplain management (through a Clarence Floodplain Agreement), riparian vegetation management and floodgate management commenced in 2003/2004.

Other initiatives contributing to the management of the Clarence River estuary include

  • The Grafton Urban Water Management and Clean Waterways Project, a partnership between relevant Councils, State agencies and the local water and drainage authority.
  • Clarence River County Council's Clarence Floodplain Project.
  • The Clarence River was the subject of an inquiry and report in 1999 by the Healthy Rivers Commission.
  • the sugar industry's Acid Sulphate Soils testing program and management planning.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed 1995
Assemble Existing Data completed 1995
Carryout Process Study completed 2000
Carryout Estuary Management Study completed 2002
Draft Estuary Management Plan completed 2003
Review Estuary Management Plan completed October 2003
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Clarence Valley Council Strategic Planning Division, Mr Jim Spencer
Ph (02) 6645 2266 Fax (02) 6645 3552

References

Local Government Areas

Clarence Valley

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Yamba
Maclean
Woombah
Banyabba
Brooms Head
Grafton
Copmanhurst
Tucabia