EstuaryWatch Events

72 results found (Displaying 1 - 50)

Date		Details
06-11-2018		Estuary Entrance Closure Berm formed a few days after high seas & westerly gale force winds Judy Spafford
05-08-2018		Weather Event Waves entering wide across entrance from very rough sea Judy Spafford
18-07-2018		Weather Event Storm surge at entrance -salt water starting to enter. Strong north wind was lifting sand in channel & driving it into sea Judy Spafford
07-07-2018		Weather Event Storm surge from 7m. high seas & strong gale force winds. Large amount of sand being carried by wind gusts into channel & estuary. Waves entering across a wide area & becoming shallow as they cross over high sand build up then turning east along south side of estuary Judy Spafford
12-05-2018		Weather Event Gellibrand river barred after storm event Berm very low at entrance rising mid channel & continuing under shallow water north well into estuary Judy Spafford
11-05-2018		Weather Event The Gellibrand Estuary was almost closed despite 7m high seas & a gale force south wind. Very large amount of sand was being blown off the dunes & beach into the estuary at start of channel. Judy Spafford
24-04-2018		Unusual/Extraordinary occurrence! Extremely low tide with very little flow from upstream - very large amount of sand exposed in estuary Judy Spafford
21-04-2018		Estuary Entrance Opening High channel entrance after artificial opening Judy Spafford
20-04-2018		Estuary Entrance Opening Start of strong outflow after artificial opening Judy Spafford
19-04-2018		Estuary Entrance Opening Artificial opening Judy Spafford
15-04-2018		Weather Event Gail force winds & high sea. Waves going far up on beach & wide over berm Judy Spafford
11-03-2018		Estuary Entrance Opening Gellibrand River 18 hrs after opening Judy Spafford
10-03-2018		Estuary Entrance Opening Artificial Opening Gellibrand River 10-03-18 Started 13:00 complete 15:20 Judy Spafford
27-02-2018		Unusual/Extraordinary occurrence! Drilling to obtain core samples in preparation for construction of a new much larger bridge across the Gellibrand river (At G2 site - on the Old Coach Road, between the camping ground and Great Ocean Road) Judy Spafford
07-02-2018		Estuary Entrance Closure Berm - Gellibrand estuary at low tide 09--22018 Judy Spafford
06-11-2017		Unusual/Extraordinary occurrence! Rockfall from high up on western cliff face (also more down from south side of Pt. Ronald) Very large rock has fallen into the channel in line between existing rocks and cliff face Heavy rainfall, strong wind & very rough seas will have contributed to this event Judy Spafford
24-06-2017		Unusual/Extraordinary occurrence! Whirlpool formed at meeting of channel & estuary- wave surge resulting from high tide & rough sea Judy Spafford
31-05-2017		Estuary Entrance Opening Gellibrand River estuary natural opening overnight. Water level peaked at 1.786m AHD. Rose Herben
23-02-2017		Estuary Entrance Closure Large berm formed jspafford
12-05-2016		Estuary Entrance Opening Permitted artificial estuary opening 1.84m AHD. Rose Herben
11-05-2016		Water level Water level recorded as 1.84m AHD at the Old Coach Road bridge. Extensive flooding observed. Rose Herben
10-05-2016		Estuary Entrance Closure Estuary mouth closure. Water level 1.81m AHD. Rose Herben
09-05-2016		Estuary Entrance Opening Permitted artificial estuary opening 1.79m AHD. Rose Herben
04-05-2016		Weather Event Large swell predicted for the south west coast of Victoria on Tuesday May 3 and Wednesday May 4. Sea was recorded overtopping the berm. Rose Herben Gellibrand_20160504_1 Gellibrand_20160504_2 Gellibrand_20160504_3 Gellibrand_20160504_4 Gellibrand_20160504_5 Gellibrand_20160504_6 Gellibrand_20160504_7 Gellibrand_20160504_8 Gellibrand_20160504_9
05-04-2016		Estuary Entrance Closure Estuary entrance closure. 1.02m AHD. Rose Herben
12-03-2016		Estuary Entrance Opening Permitted artificial estuary opening. Water level prior to opening was 1.44m AHD. Rose Herben Artificial estuary opening_1 Artificial estuary opening_2
12-03-2016		Estuary Entrance Opening The river mouth was artificially opened at about 3pm, to coincide with a high tide. The AHD level at G2 prior was 1.46. Initially the release was slow and controlled but gained momentum overnight and was fairly ripping out when Judy and I inspected at 9am-ish the next morning. No evidence yet of any fish kill, though a lot of small fry have been stranded. The AHD level at 11.30-ish was down to 0.54 - after monitoring G2 and L1. Rose Herben
18-01-2016		Estuary Entrance Closure Estuary closed to the sea 0.44 m AHD Rose Herben
26-12-2015		Estuary Entrance Opening Artificial estuary opening. Water level at G2 was 1.43m AHD prior to the opening. Rose Herben Gellibrand_20151226_AO_1 Gellibrand_20151226_AO_2 Gellibrand_20151226_AO_3
01-05-2015		Estuary Entrance Opening Natural opening of the Gellibrand River estuary. 1.46 AHD. Rose Herben Gellibrand_20150502_opening_1 Gellibrand_20150502_opening_2
25-04-2015		Weather Event AHD at G2 yesterday (Friday 24th) at 2pm was 1.08 (with a beautiful Nankeen Night Heron beside the gauge - just looking at me!) AHD at G2 today (Sat 25th) at 4pm was 1.23-4 (due to surface waves). Seas rough to v rough so I hope to get down to the mouth tomorrow, weather permitting. Chris Rose Herben
01-04-2015		Estuary Entrance Opening Gellibrand River Estuary artificially opened. Water level at G2 1.60 m AHD. Rose Herben Gellbrand_20150401_opening_2 Gellbrand_20150401_opening_3 Gellibrand_20150401_opening_1 Gellibrand_20150401_opening_4 Gellibrand_20150401_opening_5 Gellibrand_20150401_opening_5 Gellibrand_20150402_opening_1 Gellibrand_20150402_opening_2
04-02-2015		Estuary Entrance Opening Hi Rose, Interesting day AHD G6 1.22 @ 09:00 G2 1.23 @ 09:30 8481 Very big change from 29/01/15 The berm is now only 14m. wide at the narrowest/lowest part -height from river to top of berm 0.35m and height from sea to the top of the berm is 0.5m. However the river is actually running out into the sea in a small channel through & under the rocks against the cliff. While the river may have moved forward toward the sea the channel is extremely shallow 8493 shows entry to channel through rocks 8495 water flowing under rocks 8457 entering ocean. At this point there is currently some exchange with waves but higher up none. However at hi tide ( 1.06 @ 02:11) it is likely that the waves were over this area & also the berm More coming Judy Rose Herben 8457 entering ocean. At this point there is currently some exchange with waves but higher up none. However at hi tide ( 1.06 @ 02:11) it is likely that the waves were over this area & also the berm 8481 Very big change from 29/01/15 The berm is now only 14m. wide at the narrowest/lowest part 8493 shows entry to channel through rocks 8495 water flowing under rocks
24-01-2015		Estuary Entrance Closure Estuary closed. Rose Herben
12-01-2015		Estuary Entrance Opening Permitted artificial estuary opening. 1.38m AHD. Rose Herben
24-06-2014		Weather Event Am just back from a quick walk to the OCR bridge - the AHD was 1.48, surging to 1.49 (almost 1.5) It's so strange seeing the river so 'green', flooding still very evident. Rose Herben
24-06-2014		Weather Event I'm just in from clearing away the major mess outside, and excited to report that our normally tannin brown river is totally sea-green- as far up river as I can see from our deck (Princtown). There is absolutely no sign of any 'river water' flowing down. The flats opposite flooded to high levels within 90-120 minutes, all jetties are well under water, and looking to the estuary from here, it seemed almost like it was on fire - the spray and spume was clearly visible billowing furiously inland way past the rec reserve boundaries Chris Rose Herben
24-06-2014		Weather Event 1.58@ 12:45 Waves well up on sand dunes all along beach & completely across the entrance chopping out the side of dunes below GP1 site, Photo had to be taken slightly lower than the actual site as It was impossible to use the camera or even kneel. Whole area was being seriously sand blasted - not possible to walk in many places Waves in all direction in channel, large whirlpools occurring but mainly travelling down channel then turning east to severely impact the east side & scour out the south side as they went lots of airborne foam & fine mist. Some waves were also going over the top of the tunnel gate. Smaller waves resulting from the above were travelling in a more NE direction & impacting on ocean car park area. Water was also over most of west loop of OCR. Bridge shows green water. Interesting that the old & now unused flood marker on the bridge is reading at about the level( 43 )that an artificial opening (according to the locals) should have occurred. Water going over OOR note that it is coming from the south side (nearest the sea), it was completely over later in the day, but Matt Bowker informs me this morning that the road is clear but has very large ruts. Water was over bank along Latrobe creek with wetlands flooding extensively. Water was in west end of camp ground & across flats to the west & NE. The OCR was not flooded but water was forming along the edge between Bridge & camp Fishing platform apart from the top rail was underwater Rose Herben Ge_20140624_WE_5973 GE_20140624_WE_5979 GE_20140624_WE_5982 Ge_20140624_WE_6004 Ge_20140624_WE_G2_6029 Ge_20140624_WE_G2_6030 Ge_20140624_WE_OOR_6050 Gp1_20140624_WE_6020
11-04-2014		Estuary Entrance Opening Gellibrand River artificially opened 1.44 AHD. Small fish death event. Rose Herben Fish death
18-11-2013		Unusual/Extraordinary occurrence! My wife and I paddle up the Gellibrand river (3-6) times a week at this time of year and have noticed that general downstream flow is more rapid (outside rainfall events) than in previous years. We paddle with an GPS enabled smartphone that records our boat speed and distance travelled. In previous years the difference between upstream and downstream sections has been neglible. This year our upstream runs are on average 1- 2kmh slower and our downstream runs are on average 1 -2kmh faster than in previous years. The section of the river most travelled is between Princetown township and Kangaroobie. When paddling we occasionally scare up Australasian Bittern often more than one in view at any given time (potentially indicating presence of pairs). Judy has expressed that we email her sightings/observations as they occur so they can be dated and recorded on the database. Also of note was a sighting of a seal Monday 18th November this week near Princetown township by a neighbour and sightings (3 in total) of a platypus in the section of river about 1.2 km upstream of Princetown townships (where concrete culverts lie above a river beach in Ted Ware's paddock) Rose Herben
15-05-2013		Weather Event 43ml rain yesterday Total since 12/05/12 = 92.5ml (for month 92.4 +7 = 99.5ml.) My neighbour who is closer to the sea (Moonlight Head) has had 120ml since 12/05/13 This is close to what we had 04/03/08 (in one day)when Princetown flooded Chris H. has got 94 for the month so this is close to my total It is still raining heavily at this time Judy Rose Herben
02-05-2013		Estuary Entrance Opening Seems that we had a natural opening possibly sometime last night, there were no signs that I could see to indicate that it could have been otherwise The fresh drag patterns in the sand along the south of the estuary were unmarked except for fox prints which indicates recent Flow is along base of cliffs to rocks where it curves then turns to s/w Discharge to south, west & to a lesser degree along shoreline to east ( longshore drift is working) The channel is fairly wide but not deep, flow moderate, sand build up is visible directly in front of rocks No sign of any fish ¿dead or alive & birds have left the estuary Flats upstream have water only in very low areas & are waterlogged. G6 AHD has dropped to 0.81 despite the rain so the out flow may not be sustained Judy Rose Herben Ge_20130502_N O Ge_20130502_N O Gp1_20130502_N O
21-04-2013		Unusual/Extraordinary occurrence! The river has dropped dramatically- height may even be below that during the 2005-06 drought I intend to get out the photos that I have to compare ¿later!!! These photos 21/04/13 show AHD at G6 & Burrupa ¿ the one of Burrupa is between 4 -6cm above the water level The one from G6 is hard to read ¿ but is 0.32 @13:20 Burrupa is about 15 mins later. More coming Judy Rose Herben 20130421_Burrupa_2653 Ge_20130420_G5_lowflow_2603 Ge_20130420_G6_lowflow_2638 Ge_20130421_Burrupa lowflow 3_266 Ge_20130421_G6_low flow_2647 $\Ge_20130420_G6_lowfolw_264$ \Ge_20130420_G6_lowfolw_264
18-04-2013		Unusual/Extraordinary occurrence! Dark scum mark along east side of estuary Waves entering channel & into estuary -`green water up to near base of tunnel entrance Judy Rose Herben Ge_20130416_2540 Ge_20130416_2553 Ge_20130416_saltwater_Panorama1
13-04-2013		Estuary Entrance Opening Mouth illegally opened 13/04/13 by tractor (entered top track beside locked gate)Late afternoon 13/04/13 Mouth opened about 20-30m wide. Side of steep cliff on east about 3m. high Very strong dark & smelly flow meeting rough s.w sea. Strong longshore drift (1 dead fish near mouth Trout?) Water only on side of OOR & OCR, more extensive flooding in camp ground Increase of water on Coe¿s mid flats & greatly increased flood water visible on Pacer¿s (G50) 8ml rain G6 - 13/04/13 Eel fisherman just managed to rescue net & catch ( had been catching & releasing interesting fish previously - Blue throated wrasse, ling also large healthy brim noted) Up until now there have been a large no. of very interesting birds on the wetlands Judy Rose Herben Ge_20130414_I O_copy2 Ge_20130414_I O_copy3 Gp1_20130414_I O _Panorama copy21
12-04-2013		Unusual/Extraordinary occurrence! Just checked a sample of water on the flats at G5 (Pacers) Ph. 6.8 D.O. % 79.2 mg/l 7.15 there have been complaints about the `bad stinking water¿ but while this is a bit yellow in colour & full of nutriments from Ferrari¿s cattle the D.O. is ok but there has been rain over past days so probably run off is a large percentage total rainfall 11/12th April 5ml So far both Kim & I haven¿t managed to find any really bad water on the flats despite some smell However there has been rain ¿ We want to be ready for next year so we can really establish some facts about `Black¿ /¿ Bad smelly water¿ Also forgot to mention that there were over 6 Magpie geese in wetlands north of Princetown on Monday ¿also a Bittern Judy Rose Herben
07-04-2013		Estuary Entrance Opening Another attempt at an illegal opening 07/04/13 Found at 07:55 A very determined attempt but probably not the same people as before, however the person /or persons knew what they were doing (previous experience?) as they ran a side channel into the actual estuary to get flow (will be shown in photos later) Beach is changing shape a bit like last time ¿undulating with sand cliffs starting to form at east end Did some D.O. testing in wetlands with interesting results Water only on side of OCR between camp ground & GOR ¿ none over OOR 0.28 on flood marker More water on flats ¿ water on Coe¿s west flats despite recent excavation !!!!!????? More water entering east of windmill & upstream ` hills¿ ¿ no water on Barlow¿s Note low ph. at G2 Rose Herben Ge_20130407_I O Ge_20130407_I O _2
06-02-2013		Estuary Entrance Opening Illegal opening probably between10:30 05/02/13 & 06:00 06/02/13 There had been flow from estuary to sea as quite deep channel had formed (about 60cm deep x 30to 40 wide) Waves had filled the channel with sand from swash line to about mid berm Water still flowing halfway into channel but nothing beyond Berm above sea at low tide 80-90 cm Estuary 50cm Estuary to top of berm 22m. Sea ¿ ¿ 22m No water over OCR except in very deep area opp. Camp. ground ¿no water in camp ground Water to deck of fishing platform Water in small patches on top track (2cm. deep) Water only on edge of OOR 0.2 on flood marker No increase in flood level upstream Springs running along roadsides AHD G6 1.40 G2 1.43 1 dead Rockie & 1 small 20cm Trevally near mouth (Poss. Fishing reject) D.O levels at G2 are very strange ¿high D.O. to 2.00m below then 4.62 - 0.31 Data sheets/ photos to follow Bridge construction is underway with large crane. Judy Rose Herben Ge_20130206_IO_1655 copy Ge_20130206_IO_1657 copy Ge_20130206_IO_1659 copy Ge_20130206_IO_1660 copy Gp1_1670 copy
26-06-2012		Unusual/Extraordinary occurrence! Walked up into Rivernook (with permission!!!) and took the following photos This is after the water had gone over the top of the bearer at G4 More coming of what was upstream. Judy Rose Herben East end of Rivernook across to Coe's flats Looking back to G5 This is after the water had gone over the top of the bearer at G4
03-10-2009		Weather Event rain event EW Administrator estuary channel after event channel deepening and widening after event channel deepening and widening after event mixing at estuary mouth, heavy tannins from flows through otways mouth after heavy rain event