EstuaryWatch Data Portal

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

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

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

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

Permitted artificial estuary opening.  Water level 1.652m AHD.

Permitted artificial estuary opening.  Water level 1.72m AHD.

Permitted artificial estuary opening.  Water level 1.72m AHD.

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.

Wetland drying out adjacent to Anglesea River estuary.

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. 

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

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. 

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.