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Estuaries in NSW

Karuah River
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Port Stephens Myall Estuary
[Image of Estuary] Karuah River
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

River

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 2200 km2
Waterway Area 7.5 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open and untrained
Location (Lat-Long) 32.676S ,  151.972E
Distance (from Sydney) 200 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The Karuah River enters the north-western corner of Port Stephens alongside the town of Karuah. A series of rapids 4 km upstream of Allworth (or 24 km from Karuah) constitutes the tidal and navigable head of the river. An increase in tidal range moving up-river from the entrance at Karuah is likely to be due to reflection of the tidal wave. The Karuah River drains a catchment of approximately 2,200 km2 lying to the west of Port Stephens. The estuarine section of the river broadens with distance downstream and eventually forms an inner and outer estuary within Port Stephens, with a boundary at Soldiers Point.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Karuah River
The Branch River

Population and Holiday Centres

Karuah

Special Attributes

General

  • Extractive sand and gravel resources upstream of Allworth.
  • Well stocked with prawns - also good fish nursery.
  • Oyster industry - important spatting area.

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 7.450 av,ae
Seagrass 0.617 z
Saltmarsh 4.783

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

Management Issues

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

Karuah River

Port Stephens/Myall Lakes Estuary Management Committee

Port Stephens and Great Lakes Councils have formed the Port Stephens / Myall Lakes Estuary Management Committee to prepare a management plan for the combined estuary. The Management plan has been finalised and is currently being implemented by the two councils. Preparation of the Plan involved the following activities.

Data Compilation Study

This study reviewed the extent of existing information and defined issues relating to the estuary as:

  • Upper Port, water quality, groundwater, sedimentation, foreshore erosion and navigation
  • Karuah River, water quality and navigation

Estuary Processes Study

The processes study is a broad summary of catchment usage, coastal, tides and river processes, flora and fauna, sedimentation, waterway usage and water quality. For example:

  • The waterways of Port Stephens and Myall Lakes support a wide variety of estuarine habitats, some of which are unique in the State
  • Approximately 65% of the catchment is naturally vegetated and a wide range of vegetation habitats are represented.
  • The total area occupied by oyster leases is approximately 11.5 km2or about 7% of the waterway area.

Estuary Management Study and Plan

The management study and plan divided the estuary into a number of management areas to determine management issues, options and recommended actions. Priority actions were recommended which aim to improve baseline information, provide a robust planning framework, address existing problems and maintain government and community commitment to plan implementation. A significant acknowledgement is the link of shoreline erosion with the removal of riparian vegetation. Great Lakes and Port Stephens Councils are currently implementing the management plan.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed 1997
Carryout Process Study completed 1999
Carryout Estuary Management Study completed 2000
Draft Estuary Management Plan completed 2000
Review Estuary Management Plan completed 2002
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced 2002
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Great Lakes Council Gerard Tuckerman
Ph (02) 6591 7274

References

Local Government Areas

Port Stephens
Great Lakes

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Karuah
Clarence Town
The Branch