EstuaryWatch Data Portal

Strongly flowing dark discharge around entrance & travelling south with some moving east along foreshore.

Beach is undulating with waves going further in low depressions (running north south), large amount of sand in back wash from these areas. Strong longshore drift across mouth.

Heavy local rainfall combined with higher falls in catchment (41 ml. recorded @ G6 -total since 15-10-2018) have greatly increased flow with river flushing strongly. Depth profile showed similar readings from top to bottom of water column at G5 & G4

AHD G6 0.95 @ 09:15  AHD board difficult to read because of silt.

Observations made at low tide. Extremely pale discharge out around mouth over large sand build up - also sand building up in channel. Reduced flow only passing through very narrow gap between 1st & 2nd rock and a larger area over rapids between 2nd. & 3rd rock. Some water passing between 3rd. rock & cliff base

Sand on south side of estuary extending north into estuary.  North wind driven waves (gusts much stronger than 4 ) have cut sheer side to the projection. Sand bar also exposed.  The east side of the channel south of rocks also has sheer side -possibly  resulting from tidal action

AHD G6 1.34 @ 09:03      G20.54 @10:45

Observations made close to low tide

Dark discharge mainly out around mouth, paler area out to south, then travels east before going out to sea about 2/3 rds. of beach. Large amount of sand visible in breakers directly south of the entrance

Large areas of sand exposed on ocean beach & on south side of estuary where it extends some distance to north. Sand bar exposed

Stick Caddis found near entrance

I male & 2 female Red kneed Dotterels feeding in north wetland near GOR & OOR corner

Dark discharge out to east along side of foreshore, waves in all directions at entrance & along beach, some entering down east side of the channel into estuary. Strong longshore drift travelling west to entrance

Flats upstream draining, most extensive remaining water cover is around G5 where Cape pond weed is flowering prolifically

Strong red coloured discharge from springs in areas where low pH has been recorded along OOR

Very large dense mass of algae in drain/creek east OOR

AHD board unreadable (estimate only) as covered with silt

Dark discharge out around mouth & slightly to east.Very large amount of silt & foam along beach close to entrance, occasional longshore drift across entrance with small waves entering. Beach face at east end is increasing in height & steepness. Depression formed more deeply behind this area dropping down as it goes west

Very large amount of sand exposed on south side of estuary & sand bar partly visible

More extensive erosion on south face of Pt Ronald

Flood water upstream receding but large areas of shallow water remain around G5 where Aponogeton distachos is prolific & flowering

Dark discharge out around entrance & to east, recent rough seas & strong outflow from draining flats upstream have created an extremely large amount of foam & silt concentrated mainly at east end of beach. Foam lines going well out to sea. Small waves entering estuary with occasional longshore drift across mouth

Large no very small 2-4 cm small fish observed in shallow water along east side of estuary

Dead Fairy prion found on beach below Gp1 site

Dark discharge out continuing along shoreline to east. Very rough wsw swell impacting on east end of beach where a large dense area of foam covers the beach & rocks. The very rough sea was sending small waves over the top of the strong outflow up the channel into the estuary

South side of estuary sand projection at start of channel is directing flow to create a small bay at the SE corner. Despite high flood water around G4 & upstream a small area of the sand bar was exposed

Melbourne Uni. setting up a research project in the estuary.

AHD @ G6 3.40 @12:10

Estuary from G4 to G6 has been mainly been affected by tidal movement for many weeks despite deep extensive flooding upstream in all areas Area downstream G4 has not been flooded nor water over OOR despite heavy rain fall & large amount of runoff 

Dark discharge out along shore line to east but held back by rough sea.             Waves entering very wide across the entrance, some travelling up the channel into the estuary where they are dispersed by strong north wind against sand projection & beach on south side of estuary. Large waves are being driven across the estuary by wind

Area directly below Gp1 site has been scoured out by wind & waves becoming much lower than the rest of the beach. More sand has been deposited on new areas of the dunes

AHD @ G6 3.03 @  08:47  SW swell 13-14 secs.

Dark discharge extending out around mouth & progressing towards east about 30m. off shore. Waves going well up all along beach, large amount of foam in swash line increasing towards east end which was being impacted by SW swell. Longshore drift frequently across mouth going over incoming swell & weak outflow. Whirlpool at rocks

More erosion & rock falls occurring on south & east sides of Pt Ronald

Estuary is tidal to G4 where water is being held back. Downstream flats are draining at each low tide

At 09:03 water from runoff - north side of OOR just starting to cross road east of flood markers

AHD G6 2.30 @ 09;37       Air pressure 1010   SW swell 14-19-18 secs

Pale discharge only around the mouth, large amount of sand in breakers.           At 10:40 waves/saltwater was entering up channel. Waves & green water on eastside of channel & very narrow flow of slightly darker water moving downstream against cliff towards mouth assisted by extremely strong north wind

Very strong 5-6 NNW wind driving waves to SE side of estuary, but stronger northerly gusts were blowing sand down the channel into the sea, wind is also causing waves to impact against high area of sand mid south side of estuary. Despite this waves coming down the channel reach the estuary & disappear only to reappear much further north as they meet the sand bar

Only 2 photos taken because of wind strength

AHD G6 2.86 @ 09:22

Dark discharge out around mouth but becoming paler as it progresses south. Large amount of sand visible in breakers directly south of entrance

Waves, some very high, are going in all directions along beach & 1st half of channel where some small waves are entering against a strong outflow & travelling down the east side of the channel. Because of low tide exposing large areas of sand the waves are unable to turn east but continue for a very short distance north where they disappear only to re emerge further north spreading wide as the sand bar is reached. Edge of sand on south side of estuary is about .60m above water level

Last hi tide has gone high up on beach & where a gas bladder of a fish was found in the swash line at east end. (possibly from Spiny Puffer fish)

AHD  G6 2.77@ 11:55

Dark discharge going straight out to sea against south gale force wind & high sea, waves entering over very wide area & progressing down channel into estuary over high sand build up. Channel deeper close to cliff. Waves turning east at start of estuary. Waves going in all directions along channel  including whirlpool

Wind has scoured out dunes especially just east of Gp1 site. A second smaller dune has been formed in front (south)of existing one on top of  marram grass regrowth, then a steep slope occurs down to sea. Sand has been pushed up high against eastern dunes & extends further out to sea.Wind gusts still blowing sand into estuary

AHD G6  2.20 @ 09:30         2.38 @ 16:02

Heavy local rainfall 04-07-18    08-07-18  = 43  ml.  causing flooding from run off but no water across any roads or tracks

Storm surge from High 7m.seas (WSW swell 13-14 secs) & South Gale force winds, waves entering channel over a wide area & crossing over high sand build up then continuing down channel into estuary where they turn sharply east & travel along south side of estuary. Water green upstream to past G2. Wind raising small waves that travel all across the estuary to north

Wind impacting/scouring sand dunes with stronger gusts carrying it along channel & into the estuary

Rock falls have increased at South & east sides of Pt Ronald

No photos from Gp1 site because of dangerous conditions

AHD G2   0.56 @ 12:25     G6  AHD  water covering AHD board

Dark discharge out around mouth & flowing strongly to east along beach front. Waves in all directions at entrance with small waves entering along channel, turning east along south side of exposed sand at south side of estuary, however strong outflow  travelling fast was further west closer to cliff face

Large area of sand exposed at south side of estuary had a sheer face about 20-40 cm.above water level which reduced near turn into channel, then rose again up to 1.50m. near entrance. The sheer sides were gradually collapsing into fast outflow & incoming small entering waves. Low water level had sandbar in estuary well exposed

No roads or tracks had water over & only a small amount from runoff in very low areas of camp ground. No water over OOR at flood markers as flood water is being held back around G4 where water is flowing strongly over the bridge. Some flooding immediately downstream G4 which was draining back into the river channel but upstream all flats have deep extensive water cover & very fast flow from G4 to past G6. Flood water peaked at Burrupa on 20-06-18 late pm at 5.06m.

AHD G6  3.68 @ 08:45    Air pressure  1026.5

After yesterdays near gale force winds & extremely high & low tides a natural release occurred over night resulting in a very strong fast flowing dark discharge going out through a very wide entrance travelling both to east & west. The east side of the channel was sheer sided & about 1m.high, collapsing into the fast flow. Occasional longshore drift across the mouth being covered by incoming SSW swell. The wind had scoured the beach & channel area covering seaweed & again reshaping the dunes - Gp1 is now even higher.

Lower water levels around G2 have drained area around flood markers on OOR with water flowing through previously scoured out areas from north to south, but levels upstream are still rising & water from the river flowing onto flats around G6

AHD G6 2.30 @11:30  Air pressure 1009.5

101.5 ml rain in this event up to 08:00 17-06-18. River rising quickly but water from flooding is only across OOR in very deep scoured out areas from last flood event. No water over any other tracks or roads.

Sea very rough with occasional strong longshore drift across entrance where waves are entering very wide & moving up the channel into the estuary where they turn sharply to east. Salt (green water) for about 40 - 50m. WSW/SW swell sending waves far up on beach - water is then travelling down a slight depression  west along beach behind beach face. Swell waves are curving around at actual entrance. Sand visible in breakers far out to sea & a very large amount of seaweed has been deposited in area where channel meets estuary & along the SW area of exposed sand

AHD G6 0.90 @ 09:03      Air pressure 1026.5  N wind very cold

Observations taken from ground level not on top of dune (Gp1)

Dark discharge out around mouth & slightly to east. Sea rough, WSW swell impacting mid & east end of beach. Longshore drift frequently across the mouth with small waves entering & travelling down channel into estuary

Large expanse of sand exposed both on ocean beach & south side of estuary where broken off sea grass extends along the swash line in SW area . Sand high at mid beach with sheer face to top area of beach face

Pair of Peregrine falcons active along cliff above the channel, large no. of Coots west side of estuary. Also small bird noted going into a low hole in the waterside bank at east side of estuary

AHD G6 1.37@ 09:44  Air pressure 1026. SW swell 12-13 sec.                      Rainfall over night 24 ml.

Pale discharge out to about 50m east along shore line, flow reducing, going out over sand buildup at entrance - channel becoming more narrow. Small waves entering & travelling down channel into estuary. Slight longshore drift occasionally across mouth

Sand on beach still high slightly east of entrance but rapidly increasing at east end

Small penguin washed up alive but needed rescuing because of sinking deeply in soft sand. 2nd penguin found dead further along beach

Dark discharge out diagonally across entrance with some to south west. SW swell limiting usual easterly direction of outflow along beach front & impacting strongly at easterly section of beach. Waves in all directions at this area. Waves also in all directions at entrance with some longshore drift across. Occasional small waves entering along channel into estuary

Reducing but still fast outflow going over sand build up at entrance & immediately downstream of rocks, large amount of sand visible in breakers. Sand spit has been reduced & now higher sand extends to east along the beach front A  lower area where waves are going higher up on beach exists at mid beach. Highest area is still close to entrance

Erosion continues on south face of pt. Ronald

Very rough sea entering across wide area, waves going up channel over a high sand build up from mid channel into estuary.(Wave action visible at G2). The sand build up extends into the estuary under shallow water cover. Only salt water entering, slightly darker water east of start of channel near tunnel entrance indicates some mixing taking place. Occasional waves going high up on beach. Waves in all directions along beach (sand spit remains) with longshore drift crossing mouth. Beach still highest just east of mouth

Very high & low tides with waves 3.7- 4.6 high Swell duration 16-15 secs.

Observations made around high tide

Natural opening occurred late pm. or overnight 13-05-18 resulting in a strong dark discharge out across a wide entrance proceeding in both an easterly & westerly direction. Strong longshore drift constantly crossing over outflow & meeting incoming a curved SW swell. Intermittent small waves going down channel into estuary. Sea is moderate but high waves are breaking on sand bar close to shore. Large amount of sand carried in backwash & out to sea

Beach has been strongly scoured by recent southerly strong gale to storm force winds creating a small dune in front of existing formation & covering large areas on dunes with deep sand. SW swell continues to impact the east end & a high long sand spit now extends out to sea at middle of beach. Beach is highest just close to entrance

Observations made close to high tide. Mouth barred after gale force south winds & high seas  on 11-05-2018. Berm is very low at entrance as 3 rocks are well exposed but rises high about mid channel & extends north under shallow water well into estuary. Wind & waves have scoured out east end of beach which is now lowest part. The highest part occurs just east of the entrance which is wide with some longshore drift visible

Wind has reshaped the dunes depositing large amounts of sand over vegetation and removing it from other areas. Rock falls have increased on south & east sides of Pt. Ronald

Salt water entering wide over large sand build up exposed in channel upstream of rocks. WSW swell impacting at east end of beach, Longshore drift across outflow with waves entering estuary. Salt return only.

River level very low -minimal flow from upstream

Observations made during an exceptionally low tide - auto monitor @ G2 -sensor above water level. Huge areas of sand in estuary visible. Flow reducing - not much coming down from upstream (G6 AHD 0.46 @ 12:13). More sand build up at entrance. Pale discharge around mouth & to west but blocked from the east by sand build up at mouth & sand bar starting from sand spit at centre beach. Longshore drift is active over this area

East end of beach continues to scour out from main impact of SW swell

Large no. Ibis & other water birds feeding along exposed west side of sand bar in estuary. Sea grass exposed along east side of estuary. Streamside veg. throughout the estuary & wetlands coated with a powdery white deposit where previously covered with water

Observations made at low tide. Dark discharge out around mouth, usual easterly flow obstructed by sand bar. WSW swell mainly impacting east end of beach, sand spit diverting some waves back towards the entrance but longshore drift is in a WSW direction. Water level low, sheer sides of channel 1.5 -2.5 m close to beach face area. Waves from WSW swell & longshore drift crossing over out flow -waves & currents in all directions

Sand bar has formed from west side of spit to entrance channel & is visible about 15-20 m out running parallel  with shoreline