EstuaryWatch Data Portal

Emergency opening due to recent rainfall

Residents concerned that Frog chorusing, particularly for Pobblebonks, is delayed this Spring.

Residents asked for pH monitoring of area west of dirt part of River Reserve Rd on the way into Coogoorah.  A new Culvert was installed there in 2019.  

Some concern that chorusing delays were related to low estuary pH and increased connection to the river via the culvert.

When river levels fall during an opening the swampy land on the west of RR road drains much more than it used to.

10 readings were carried out.  The readings ranged from 3.5 to 5.0.  The pH did appear to be lower nearer the culvert on the West side of the road.

There was no visible flow through the culvert at time of testing although a flow was visible earlier that day around 10:00am.

Waves overtopped the Berm either side of High Tide at 17:37 hrs.  The estuary height was 1.58m at the time.  A small intermittent inflow of seawater occurred.  The next day I measured the Berm Height at 1.97m AHD

Waves overtopped berm and caused an intermittent inflow of sea water around High Tide.

Estuary level was 1.54m AHD

Note strong physical and anecdotal evidence that the same thing happened on 11/4/20.

At 03:30hrs on 28/1/20 during a high spring tide waves overtopped the Berm at the river mouth and introduced a significant amount of seawater into the river.  Although the flow was intermittent at the beach, further down the river a strong continuous inflow was observed.  I have film of this.  Note that the river level was 1.34m AHD and the berm was measured at 10am on 28/1/20 at .85m above the river level.  This means that waves strongly overtopped a berm height of 1.34 + .85 = 2.19m AHD.

Unfortunately I could not download the MP4 file of this event

At high tide today (1.76m @16:27 pm) waves were overtopping berm introducing seawater to estuary.  This is the last of a series of high tides which have probably done the same thing.  The river level is exactly 1.5m AHD.  Photo taken at 16:39hrs.

Pumping start: Approx. 1/05/18, ~10:00

Pumping rate 24 L/s

Pumping stop: 2/5/2018

1/05/2018 Begin transfers to Anglesea River. Estuary level: 1.355m

2/05/2018 Ceased pumping.  Estuary level 1.357m

Pumping start: Approx. 28/03/18

pH Basin:  Estuary:

Pumping rate 24 L/s

Pumping stop: 29/3/2018

Transfer commenced: 9/4/2018 10am (1.357m)

Basin level at commencement of transfer: 36Ml.

Ceased transfer: 12/4/2018(1.375m)

Transfer commenced: 4/4/2018 (1.362m)

Ceased transfer: 6/4/2018(1.373m)

Pumping start: Approx. ? 22/03/18

pH Basin: 4.2, Estuary: 4.3

Basin level at start of transfer: 45Ml.

Pumping rate 24 L/s

Pumping stop: 23/3/2018

Pumping start: Approx. 15:00 26/02/18

pH Basin: 4.2, Estuary: 4.3

Pumping rate 24 L/s

Pumping start: Approx. 15:00 26/02/18

Pumping stop: 16/3/2018 (not constant during this time)

Transfer of 8Ml (@ 2Ml/day) commenced from the Alcoa storage basin.

Fish death reported on the Anglesea River.  EstuaryWatchers visited the estuary and reported about 15 dead fish from the mouth of the estuary to 100m upstream of the Great Ocean Road Bridge. Most of the dead fish were within 100m of the Great Ocean Road Bridge. The largest fish was around 400mm.

After talking to the tourism operaters and community members that regularly frequent the river it seems the fish death occurred 1-2 weeks before December 11.  Many of the smaller fish that died had either decomposed or been eaten by birds.

Permitted artificial estuary opening. Water level 1.4m AHD.

Opening was conducted due to avoid localised flooding. Significant rain on the way for the next three days – 90-95% chance of up to 30 mm each of Friday through Sunday.

High tide was 1.76m at 16:30.  Photo shows seawater pushing into the estuary. Photo taken by Sam Munro.

Artificial estuary opening. 1.7m AHD.

pH has improved in the Anglesea River.  Surf Coast Shire public health signage on the Anglesea River has been removed.

On the 30th of March the estuary water level dropped to a low of 1.153m AHD after an artificial estuary opening on the 23rd of March.  On the 30th of March the afternoon high tide was 1.61m. The afternoon high tide continued to rise until it peaked at 1.73m on Saturday the 1st of April. Over these three days the water level in the estuary increased with each high tide.  The water level rose to 1.45m AHD on the 1st April.  At high tide on the 1st of April, sea water was surging into the estuary and could be seen mixing with estuary water opposite the playground at the estuary mouth.

Estuary closure.  Water level was 1.153m AHD.

Artificial estuary opening.  Water level was 1.61m AHD. 

In terms of rationale for the opening, DELWP has indicated that as part of the lease arrangements involved in the short-term management option for the Anglesea River, DELWP made a commitment to Alcoa to finish pumping operations by 31 March 2017. This will allow Alcoa sufficient time complete their commitments to rehabilitation works during April. As such the remaining water in the storage pond (approximately 40ML) must be pumped into the river over the next 9 days.

With the recent rainfall, the estuary level has increased significantly and will continue to do so while we discharge the remaining water in the Alcoa storage pond. By opening the estuary entrance, the chance of flooding surrounding assets will be greatly reduced.  

100.8mm of rain recorded at Aireys Inlet over night.  At 9:00am on March 21 the water level was 1.27m AHD. The water level peaked at 1.63m AHD at 9:00am on March 22. 

Large mats of benthic algae have lifted off the bottom of the estuary in front of the board walk near the Anglesea Visitor Centre.

Today the Anglesea River EstuaryWatch group observed the pumping of water into the Anglesea River while conducting monthly water quality monitoring at A5 (culvert at Coalmine Road).  The water is pumped from a storage pond that Alcoa have made available for use. Barwon Water has installed and will operate the necessary infrastructure to pump the water on behalf of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. The existing water in the pond is treated groundwater and safe to discharge into the river. During the trial Barwon Water will conduct water quality monitoring on the pond to ensure there are no negative impacts on the river. 

Wetland drying out adjacent to Anglesea River estuary.

Dead and dying fish observed at the mouth of the estuary (in the 100's).  The river is opened to the sea.  Bream have been observed heading out to sea.  The fish death is due to low pH in the estuary. Many  birds have been observed feeding on the dead or dying fish. This event took place in school holidays. Children were spotted trying to rescue fish that were stranded on the sand.

Permitted artificial estuary opening.  Water level 1.72m AHD.

Permitted artificial estuary opening.  Water level 1.72m AHD.

Permitted artificial estuary opening.  Water level 1.652m AHD.

The river is still flowing out, though the spoil is well dispersed now. Height is as 1.39m AHD.

River this morning is at 1.6m AHD, still flowing out fast.  Flooding had gone from Coogoorah Park.

Permitted artificial estuary opening. 1.78mAHD.  Coogoorah Park is very wet so the birds are loving it!

Permitted artificial estuary opening of the Anglesea River estuary mouth to avoid localised flooding. Water level 1.71m AHD