EstuaryWatch Data Portal

Observations made at low tide. Flowing strongly out through start of channel about 6m. wide then widening around rocks & going wide over sand build up at actual entrance. Strong flow creating large waves , Sheer sides of channel collapsing into flow & a very large amount of sand being carried. Water cascading over top of rocks then creating large deep furrows where it is met by some incoming waves from WSW swell & strong longshore drift. Outflow waves up to .70 m close to shoreline area where action is scouring out large amount of sand.

Later in the day there was a pale discharge around mouth then going south about 30-50 m out to sea. Sand turbidity visible

Artificial opening occurred @ 09:10. No flow before opening but waves had been over the berm reaching the estuary at last hi tide. Tidal range both very high & low 1.17 - 0.27

Beach formation had changed into 2 separate small bays divided by a sand projection at mid beach. East end of beach was being strongly impacted by SW swell reducing the sand 'cliffs' formed earlier.. Area west of sand spit only slightly impacted

Slight pale discharge only around the mouth & travelling west just after opening. Large amount of sand visible in water. About 10:30 waves started going up 1st part of channel  - backwash carrying out sand. Slight longshore drift across mouth

GOR -water 3/4 way across right lane. OOR Water over large area near flood markers (very large no. Ibis in flooded areas.

Mouth closed - no exchange

Estuary front is straight across the channel area. Many small fish (8 -12  cm) swimming near this area.

Height of waves incursion increasing @ 10:50 some almost reaching estuary. Large amount of sand in waves being scoured out by backwash at possible entry point

Some occasional very high waves breaking out on sandbar

Waves over all along berm reaching estuary but only very slight salt return. High seas impacting at both ends of beach going high up on steep face of east dune & down beach to cliff at west. Increased longshore drift at high tide towards entrance

Water on hi track increased, water in areas across lower track to Ocean car park & several large puddles south of camp ground. No water across OCR between camp ground & GOR but increased water from runoff SW area of camp ground. Water flowing strongly from south to north across OOR in two areas at flood markers

Mouth barred. An Illegal opening had been attempted but the channel was blocked by the next high tide

Waves from WSW swell impacting mainly at east end of beach. A sand projection exists at mid beach diverting the wave direction & creating only a slight amount of longshore drift to west

Fish were observed in water at start of channel from estuary

Water up to ocean car park at start of low track. Some increase in water on top track. No water across any roads

Reducing wave height & light wind have affected waves reaching estuary

Main impact from SW swell is at east end of beach, travelling hi up on sand & continuing to scour out previously covered rocks. Large amount of sand in backwash. Actual beach face at rocks is steep but further west high & rounded. Area about 50m from west cliff is highest part of beach - east end now much lower.

Beach littered with large no. squid carapaces

Only small amount of water at edge of south side of OOR & puddles a bit larger at SW end of camp ground

Mouth barred, occasional wave up into estuary at hi tide (15:00) being assisted by longshore drift

Very gradual slope down from estuary to sea, area very dynamic

Waves impacting at east end of beach with backwash dragging out sand

Water only across small area of top track & at south side of OOR near flood markers.

Mouth barred by wide berm but some larger waves have been overtopping & reaching the estuary at last hi tide. Large amount of seaweed deposited in the area.

Rough sea with longshore drift commencing around hi tide when observations were made. Sand visible in breakers out to sea level with east end of beach.

Only small areas of water on top track but low track completely covered up to car park. Extremely large no. very small fish observed in shallow water on low track also similar density at south side of OOR near flood markers

Only a couple of small pools of water at South West end of camp ground. Water visible covering most flats around and downstream G4. No water except in drain immediately upstream G4 (north side), but water entering north flats directly downstream G5

Entrance barred but waves over during high tide, very large amount of fresh seaweed on beach beside front of estuary, down E side of channel & around onto sand  at south side in front of dunes. Water in estuary being driven south towards berm by N wind (4-5) = waves down channel. Wind in many directions in other places but mainly around 2-3. Colour of water in estuary upstream to G2 is greenish brown indicating salt water going upstream. This was confirmed by depth profile taken at G2 & Lt1

SW swell impacting last 1/4 of beach (east end) with backwash taking out sand -  visible out to sea, only very slight longshore drift from 2nd lessor impact at mid beach

Estuary only .20m above the berm,  slight rise near ocean is 78.3m. from estuary front, then from that area to a dynamic variable swash line 7.3m.             = total of 85.6m. 

Very gentle slope down to ocean from estuary interrupted only by a small rise in front of estuary and an area close to ocean

Berm reformed- waves from v.rough sea overtopping up into estuary, only salt return. Waves are going wide across  sand build up in the recently opened entrance, the 1st rock is nearly covered with sand. Large amount of sand in breakers from back wash. Strong longshore drift across entrance

At east end of beach waves are going up over the recently formed sand cliffs & pooling in a confined area between top of sand & dunes.

Water is rising in estuary & areas previously left uncovered by recent artificial opening where very large numbers of small fish can be seen all along the low track

Observations from Gp1 site not taken  as wind too strong. Wind N in this area, S along channel & Se along beach

Photos downloaded are not in usual sequence

Mouth observation whether open/perched or closed depended on the tidal influence. The sea at the time of observation was entering over a wide sand built up area with no exchange of darker water from the estuary, green water was returning & could be seen in front of rocks. Very large amount of sand could be seen in breakers out to sea where the waves  were over 3m. high.

Observations taken close to low tide

Slight very pale discharge along foreshore for about 30m., sand built up almost completely across entrance, only narrow channel against cliff face but wider up stream of rocks. Occasional wave entering over a wide area from rough sea. Extremely strong longshore drift across entrance

Small sand cliffs forming at beach face east end of beach

Dark discharge out around mouth then turning east & going out to sea at mid beach. Sand building up at entrance & flow reducing. Strong longshore drift across entrance sending waves about 50m. up the channel but not visible entering the estuary

Swash line from last high tide high up on beach, side of channel & on S side of estuary where a very large area is now exposed. Sand bar is also exposed

Stream side veg. coated with drying algae

AHD G2 0.35 @ 15:15(was 1.40 10:00)  AHD G6 0.40  @15:17 (was 0.50 @ 09:40)                                                          

Dark discharge out over sand build up at entrance. Strong longshore drift across mouth with waves entering over top of discharge

Very high sand cliffs remain at side of opening but sand is building up in that area

AHD @ G6  1.46

About 18 hrs. after artificial opening 10-3-18.

Very strong dark & dirty discharge carrying a large amount of sand down channel through very wide opening (18-20 m) cut in berm overnight. Outflow is going out to sea over a higher sand projection then turning east. Sides of cut about 3-4 m. high collapsing into fast flow. Flow level is higher at rocks then cascades down to lower level where sand is building up (or remaining) in front of 1st rock.The strong outflow is being crossed over by equally strong longshore drift at entrance, waves generated are entering channel

Several very small flounder were found stranded on lower part of berm., many sea birds 'fishing' in outflow. Large number of very small fish observed in shallow water at S/E corner of estuary

 Mouth opened  - cut through very high berm  completed @ 15:20 

AHD G6 1.45 @ 09:05     -       1.46 @ 15:45

Low tide before opening exposed very wide area in front of berm where a 2nd small berm was forming close to cliff.

Estuary was completely across channel from cliff to dunes & front was wider &  moved closer to ocean. Water was very reddish in colour with some areas of algae formed in areas of shallow water close to stream side veg.

Strong  wave impact & backwash at mid beach moving a large amount of sand. Strong longshore drift from this area in front of berm to cliff face

No water over any roads (some at side of OOR near flood markers) Low track to beach completely covered & some water in lowest area of hi track. Camp ground has small areas of damp & water in SW area - from rising water table only

Mouth still barred, some waves have been over topping along the berm but not reaching the estuary where water levels are higher with  wider front . Water is completely across from cliff to dunes at northern end of channel

No water over OCR & only puddles from rising ground water in camp ground ( no visible connection with river observed) Water still only at  S side of OOR -between Lawson's & GOR (1 small puddle) More water near flood markers where a huge no. very small fish were observed swimming in drain & pond on S side. Small area of water on N side of road at west blocked culvert. More flood water on flats D/S G4

This is an very unusual event as there has been very little local rainfall /runoff.  Water in estuary has been mainly from springs flowing strongly (confirmed by many local land owners) & only a very minimal flow from upstream catchment

Mouth remains closed & berm has increased in size with more sand over rocks. Water level in estuary higher with water over all of low track & small amount in lowest part of top track. No water over other roads, camp ground or tracks apart from water at side of OOR at flood markers where an extremely large number of small fish (1-4 cm) are very active

Estuary has now extended completely across from cliff to sand dunes at northern end of channel

Unusual westerly swell impacting east end of beach to around mid beach where waves are going further up - the backwash continues to scour out narrow depressions at mid beach with large amount of sand in breakers. Closer to east  small sand cliffs have formed at beach face

Mouth closed & estuary has moved closer to top of berm but higher sand around rocks & more on sea side of berm. Waves overtopping berm but not reaching estuary. Waves impacting mid beach with backwash continuing to scour out  narrow depressions

Water over all of low track but only damp patch on top track. No water on other tracks, camp ground or OOR

Large number of small fish observed in shallow water all around the estuary. Large brightly coloured tiger snake on sand near water at S E side of estuary

Mouth Barred                  AHD G6   1.14 @ 08:45     G2 1.17 @ 09:05

Observations taken near very low tide - Large expanse of beach with sand highest at east end possibly highest it has been for about 10-15 years.( However sand has been removed from Rivernook beach east of this site.) The shore line is horseshoe shaped with deep backwash scouring mid beach. Sand was visible in breakers going out to sea from this area

Berm is more exposed - front now1.70m high with more sand build up in that area. More sand has covered the rocks in the channel & the front of the estuary has widened. The water is also completely across to the dunes at the start of the channel

Water has completely covered the low track but there is no water over any other tracks or roads. Very large number of small fish observed at side of estuary from G2 site to start of channel. . Water is on flats downstream G4 but not on any pasture upstream - some in drains in small area close to G4

Mouth closed

Sea seems to have pushed top of berm slightly back towards estuary also lowered it slightly. Front of estuary has moved closer to sea. Channels have been dug at start of estuary.

Water level higher in estuary AHD G2 1.07 @ 08:30

AHD  G6 0.99 @ 07:40 (both sites are very close  G2  1.01  @ 08:00)

High berm next to ocean - waves from rough sea coming up close to top but sand slopes down quickly to rocks where about 30-40 cm. of tallest one is still exposed above the sand

Sand is very high at east end of beach, numerous lower areas occur along the beach front till about 40-50 m. from the west cliff where it is much lower with waves going further up towards the dunes. The sand then rises much higher from there to the cliff face

Water levels in estuary are higher with some parts of low track impassable -no water over any other tracks or roads. Water is entering drain upstream of G4

AHD @ G6 & G2 nearly the same

Small low berm has formed Waves intermittently crossing over into estuary in a wide area. Estuary front extremely shallow & narrow - no out flow only wave return

Beach very wide, waves from last hi tide have travelled far up. East end is highest with increased sand build up. Actual beach front is irregular with low area occurring about 40m. from entrance then increasing in height before reaching cliff face. Many Buoy barnacles partially covered with sand were found close to dunes at Gp1 site

Water height in estuary increased. Many small to very small fish in shallows alongside lo track, S & Se side of estuary. Algae continues to build up on stream side veg. especially in contained areas

Slight pale discharge out to east for about 40m then turning out to sea. Flow very shallow  over increased sand build - channel very narrow & shallow. More sand around rocks -3rd rock restricting flow

Beach very wide with sand high at east end - reef exposed at both east & west ends

Only small area of sand bar visible & increased  algae (some iridescent patches) around streamside veg. alongside low track

Estuary perch & Tupong have been caught @ G6 (7-01-18)

Pale discharge out along foreshore not far from entrance then dispersing out to sea

Channel very narrow & more shallow, reduced flow only on both sides of 3rd rock. More sand downstream of rocks making entrance wide & very shallow. Longshore drift across mouth still active

Beach has more sand covering rocks at east end. High in that area & also at mid beach after which it slopes down wide to the mouth

Large amount of algae on stream side veg in shallow water alongside low track. North wind bringing waves carrying algae & red silt? to S.E. cr. of estuary. Sand bar only part uncovered. Many Ravens around estuary