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Estuaries in NSW

Smiths Lake
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Myall Estuary Wallis Lake
[Image of Estuary] Smiths Lake
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Lake

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 32 km2
Waterway Area 11 km2
Entrance Characteristics Intermittently/mechanically opened and untrained
Location (Lat-Long) 32.395S ,  152.520E
Distance (from Sydney) 280 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

Smiths Lake is approx 25km south of Forster. The town of Smiths Lake is located on the northern shore of the estuary. Some three quarters of the catchment is forested or waterway. The lake supports a small commercial fishing industry. The lake is also a popular recreational resource for wading, swimming, canoing, kayaking, sailing, power boating, water skiing and amateur fishing.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Smiths Lake
Symes Bay

Population and Holiday Centres

Smiths Lake

Special Attributes

General

  • A largely undisturbed estuary of high scenic value.
  • Small fish (55 t/yr) and crustacean (9 t/yr) producer.
  • Southern shores of Smiths Lake are included within the Myall Lakes National Park.

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 0.000
Seagrass 2.960 z,h,r
Saltmarsh 0.000

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

Management Issues

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

Smiths Lake

Current Situation

Great Lakes Council has formed the Smiths Lake Estuary Management Committee to prepare a management plan for the Smiths Lake estuary. The management plan is complete and includes an entrance opening strategy for the intermittently opened lake.

Management Issues

  • entrance opening levels to avoid flooding on low lying areas.
  • catchment erosion and resultant sedimentation of lake.
  • water quality
  • habitat conservation
  • waterway access and user conflict

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed
Carryout Process Study completed
Carryout Estuary Management Study completed 1999
Draft Estuary Management Plan completed 1999
Review Estuary Management Plan completed 2001
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced 2001
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Great Lakes Council Gerard Tuckerman
Ph (02) 6591 7274

References

Local Government Areas

Great Lakes

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Myall Lake
Seal Rocks
Wooton