Overview

Estuary name Merri River Estuary
CMA Glenelg Hopkins CMA
Description

The Merri Estuary is located near Warrnambool in southwest Victoria. The river has two openings to the sea, both artificially modified. In 1859, the course of the Merri River was diverted in an attempt to prevent sedimentation in Lady Bay (Gill 1984). The main channel of the Merri River now discharges into the sea at Stingray Bay east of Pickering Point.

Estuary Values
Estuary Threats
Data Site observations
Status Active
Monitor group Merri River EstuaryWatch Group

Map

Sites

Site details Options

M1 Stanley Street

Active Physico-Chemical 27-10-2013 - 10-02-2024

Monitoring has historically been conducted from pedestrian crossing on the downstream side of Stanley bridge, Warrnambool.

In February 2022, this site was moved 100m upstream onto the left bank of the Merri River, with sampling to occur from the new floating pontoon.  This change was initiated due to the reconstruction of Edwards bridge in 2022, along with providing safer volunteer access and parking.

Observations 112

M2 Fonterra Floating Pontoon

Active Physico-Chemical 17-11-2013 - 10-02-2024
The floating pontoon at the end of the Esplanade, Warrnambool.
Observations 112

MGB Merri River Water Level Gauge Board

Active Gauge Board

Gauge board can be found on the retaining wall downstream of the Stanley Street Bridge.  When looking downstream from the pedestrian bridge you will see it on the right.

MMC1 Sting Ray Bay

Active Mouth Condition 27-10-2013 - 10-02-2024
Where the Merri River exits into Sting Ray Bay.
Observations 120

MMC2 Rutledges Cutting

Active Mouth Condition 07-12-2013 - 09-02-2024
Beach access track at the most eastern carpark in Belfast Coastal Reserve.
Observations 113

Mp1 Stingray Bay

Active Photopoint 27-03-2014 - 10-02-2024
Photo is taken at the bottom of the beach access stairs near Emergency marker WCC112, Sting Ray Bay.
Photos 417

Mp2 Rutledges Cutting

Active Photopoint 10-02-2017 - 20-03-2024
At the end of the beach access track from the easter carpark in Belfast Coastal Reserve.
Photos 231

Recent Events

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Estuary Snapshots

The EstuaryWatch snapshots provide a summary of estuary condition on a particular day. For all EstuaryWatch Snapshots, photopoint photos and a longitudinal water quality profile from the estuary mouth  to the inland extent is displayed. Read more

Full and partial estuary snapshots displayed below View full snapshots only

Summer 2019


Spring 2018


Winter 2018


Autumn 2018


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