EstuaryWatch Data Portal

Very slight pale discharge going out to sea just east of entrance. Reducing flow despite observations being taken close to hi tide Only very narrow shallow channel flowing between last rock & cliff. Waves however are entering over wider area & going across  from east side of rocks to cliff. Beach very flat with sand build up extending nearly across the entrance. Recent swash lines indicate waves going far up on beach. Backwash areas at mid beach are being scoured out into shallow N/S depressions. A lot of sand visible in breakers in that area & also directly out from mouth. Only part of sand bar visible

Algae in shallow water beside low track. Some in various stages of decomposition. Large no. small bubbles in one area. Moths wings also in these areas. In the shallow water along side low track there are large no. small very active fish. 6 White headed Herons actively feeding in these areas

Red silt/algae over dark black slimy deposit noted in shallow water of estuary at start of low track

AHD @ G6 1.21

Pale discharge out around the mouth & slightly to east.

Water levels dropping after recent rain event. Swash line from last hi tide is high up on beach clearly indicated by dark silt.

Beach has been reshaped (possibility from recent short swell times & directional changes) with more sand close to entrance. No flow between eastern side of 1st rock & beach

More rock down from the south face of Pt Ronald

G6 AHD 0.80 @ 08:00   (estimate only as board still covered with silt)

Slight very pale discharge out around mouth then paler- travelling along foreshore toward east end of beach. Increased sand build up at east side of channel D/S rocks (water level low). Only narrow shallow flow on east side of rocks. Waves across mouth, sea slight but with occasional higher sets.

Water colour in estuary very reddish & clear

Snipe at G6 & Pied Stilts on north wetlands.

Observation taken late p.m.

Very slight pale discharge out around mouth dispersing out to sea about 50m. east from cliff. Very small waves entering & proceeding along channel into estuary. Longshore drift across entrance.

More sand has built up in channel & east side of channel DS rocks, but water still flowing out on both sides

Large amount of dead algae,scum & bubbles along waters edge low track. Large no. of small fish in this area

Water levels have dropped @ G6 but board still covered with silt = estimate only about 0.78 @ 12:51

Very slight discharge out around the mouth. water still on both sides of the rocks with more sand at entrance. Some waves entering into channel & estuary

Beach highest at east end but wide very slight runnel forming behind beach front & dunes

Dark discharge out & along beach front to east. Flow reducing less rainfall & less discharge from flats as nearly drained- except around G5 where Cape pond weed is prolific.

Large rock fall has occurred from directly above the existing 2 rocks across the channel & deposited a third one almost in line in the area of main flow closest to cliff face

Recent storms & very rough / high seas have reshaped the beach & brought more sand to entrance & channel. Sand clearly seen under water D/S rocks & channel more narrow. Sand bar in estuary is visible & a large area of sand extends from south side of estuary north into the estuary. Large areas of debris from storm surge piled up along the south east side of the estuary. Green algae is covering some veg. alongside area of low track - also silt laden seagrass is uncovered

Small waves entering Estuary

Long shore drift across the entrance with sand building at entrance around rocks with water flowing either side

Sand in estuary slightly visible

Foam visible at entrance and large amounts of sand visible in the rough sea breakers

Horse tracks visible on low track, peregrine falcon soaring on the strong winds, many bushes flowering, particularly pink ragwort (senecio elegance)

Discharge out to east, waves from longshore drift across mouth sending small waves down channel into estuary

Beach highest at east end, curved to about half way then projecting out to sea. Height then reduces toward west. Eastern end is higher. Occasional waves going over beach front, then waves travelling to west along depression. Dunes at east end have been eroded back to stratified sandstone & sand now covers the previously exposed ocean reef. Maram grass re veg occurring at base of dunes closer to entrance

Another dead kangaroo on beach close to east end

Senecio elegans prolific along low track, western cliff face & in sand dunes

Water has drained around G4 but large areas of visible water remain around G5

Dark discharge out around mouth & along foreshore to east end of beach where it turns out to sea. Small waves entering over out flow. Longshore drift active across mouth. Flow on both sides of rocks but sand build up visible under water in front of rocks

Beach highest at east end. Large amount of dark silt & debris in swash line, heavier concentration at east end

Extremely large expanse of sand exposed on south side of estuary & across sand bar. Sea grass (blackened) exposed on exposed sand beside low track. Very small flathead Gudgeon/ Tupong trapped in pools left by low water level

Hooded Plover tracks in many areas along ocean beach -no nests sighted.         

4 Pelicans, 2 Shell duck,  1 White egret, small Cormorant on sandbar

Dark & dirty discharge out around mouth & along beach front to east. Large amount of sand visible in breakers directly out to sea at entrance. Silt & debris in swash line along beach

Small waves entering, travelling down channel going across estuary from S to N

Small fungi found on top of sand dune. 1 peregrine falcon along cliff face. white egret, Grey teal & Cormorants on edge of sand S. side of estuary

AHD board covered with silt almost un readable

Dark dirty discharge out flowing strongly to east. Strong longshore drift over mouth.

Beach highest at east end. Flow on both sides of rocks.

More rock fall on southern cliff face.

Two Peregrine falcons over cliff. Stick cadis on beach at channel/entrance.

Turbidity very high in estuary.

Waves going along base of cliff S-N direction in estuary

Strong, dark and dirty discharge out, turning east

SW swell crossing over outflow (also long shore drift) - waves in all directions

Large amount of sand visible in breakers out to sea

sand E side of channel 1.30m sheer side from erosion caused by recent high seas

More rock down south & south east sides of Point Ronald

extensive erosion/debris low track

No Photos taken -Camera in for repair

Strong very dark discharge out turning east. At east end of beach turns out to sea. Some discharge to west in front of cliff

Waves being held back by strong N wind but longshore drift meeting outflow

Water level in estuary very low (AHD 0.29 @ G2) with very wide areas of sand exposed in all areas, channel entrance from estuary only about 15m. wide - very narrow continuing to rocks where there is flow on both sides. Only narrow channel between sand on S side of estuary & sand bar. Ocean beach wide with gentle slope, highest at E end. Sea grass exposed at side of low track. (also 2 dead kangaroos & 1 Wallaby.

2 large clumps of Phragmities in estuary  about 10-17 m. from shore. Large amount of pollen in swash line E side of estuary

More rock falls on S E side of cliff

Wedge tailed eagle circling continually over estuary

Surfer reported many whales close to shore along ocean area

Very strong dark & dirty discharge out travelling east along shore line toward Rivernook beach & beyond. Beach has large amount of debris in swash line & is heavily covered with silt at mid beach & further east. Water throughout the estuary very brown & opaque. Much silt & debris collected along south side of estuary

Steep sheer side to dunes has been cut N.E. of channel.Start of high track has drop of about 70 cm.

Low track has water in low areas also remains of 2 dead Kangaroos caught in reeds

Dark discharge mainly around mouth

Waves going high up on beach, entering mouth over wide area. Beach has been levelled out with large amount of sand visible in backwash going out to sea

Overnight storm surge (6-7 m. high waves) has cut into area at start of channel creating a .5m. -1.5 m. high sheer face on dune below Gp1.

Wind in different directions only 4 at Gp1 (sheltered by west cliff) but 6 on beach & eastern part of estuary

Low track is under water but no water on any other road or track apart from some at north side of OOR near flood markers.  Water pouring through eastern culvert but more water has built up at side of road near west culvert which remains blocked

Large areas of flooding upstream G4  Turbidity G6  29 NTU'S (east side)           24 NTU's  (west side)

Pale coloured discharge out around mouth but salt water visible entering up to rocks where dark divide occurs. Strong longshore drift across mouth over outflow & incoming sw/wsw swell

Beach very wide - highest at east end but also high at mid beach after which it slopes down to the mouth. Wind & waves have scoured the face of the dunes at east end

Channel has become more curved with large waves from V rough seas turning east at start of the estuary. Waves have impacted on low track

Large areas of flooding upstream G4 with considerable rise in turbidity                G2  17 NTU's pH 6.5    Lt1  15 NTU's  pH 7.0     G6  22  NTU's   pH 7.2

Dark discharge around mouth,slightly along beach face to east, but more going to west in front of cliff face. Waves from WSW swell & longshore drift entering over top of strong outflow. Large amount of sediment/sand in discharge (turbidity 70 NTU's upstream) Water in estuary opaque & pale brown. Large amount of debris washed up on south side of estuary

Beach front has changed- high sand area mid beach has been eroded by wave action. Mid beach down to entrance are now lower & sand projection out to sea formed not far from east end

Dark discharge only around mouth & slightly out to sea, waves entering over top of out flow, strong longshore drift across entrance. Waves in all directions at mouth & along beach to east. Waves going up channel into estuary some travelling along side cliff face but strongest flow turns east around sand build up

Waves from SW swell strongly impacting east end of beach scouring out area close to rocks, waves going up over beach face into lower area then turning to west

Beach highest mid beach

More sand has been pushed into channel & down into estuary

Pale discharge out around mouth & slightly to east along foreshore. Also some directly out to sea (south) & around to west. Small waves entering over outflow into channel

Waves strongly impacting beach at east end scouring out rocks previously well covered by sand

Beach is low at entrance rising higher mid beach to east end. The area below Gp1 site has been further smoothed out but more sand now around rocks & in channel    (current higher water level tends to make this more obvious)

Very cold conditions air temp 8c.

Outflow out around mouth continuing east along shoreline. Waves entering over outflow from all directions, longshore drift active across mouth

Actual entrance still wide but more sand in channel  & start of estuary

Sand build up in front of rocks increased - previous high edges along beach have been smoothed out

Salt levels have increased at G2

Some outflow but mainly salt from waves entering down channel ( which is narrow at mid point) then proceeding into estuary  turning abruptly to east

Sand build up visible under wave surge around rocks

SW swell strongly impacting east end of beach. Beach face higher near entrance but with several deep NS channels

Very strong wave surge creating dramatic whirlpool recorded where channel meets estuary on 24-06-17

Over period 24-26-06-17 very high tides recorded but not much rainfall

Dark discharge out to east along beach face then turning out to sea before east end Diminishing outflow is over increasing sand build up at entrance & in channel

Longshore drift across mouth meeting incoming  SW swell & outflow but small waves were entering up into estuary. Salt water (green) visible to start of estuary.  Salt water was also observed entering 14/06/17

Beach curved with high gradual slope.

Flow continues to reduce & a few small waves occasionally enter. Dark discharge out along foreshore to about 1/2 way along beach. Strong longshore drift across mouth

Extreme low water levels in estuary/channel  again -  even lower than on 20170601   G2  AHD   0.19 @ 11:46     G6  1.52 @   11:30.                                                 

Sandbar in estuary is not far away from projecting sand on south side below dunes leaving only a narrow flow channel. Large areas of sand are exposed on east side exposing sea grass partially covered by silt, algae & pale slick

Reducing outflow with some very small waves occasionally entering. Outflow meeting SW swell but being crossed over by longshore drift. Impact causing 'pulsing' at G2,Lt1 & upstream. Outflow travelling along beach front (about 50m wide) then turning out to sea near east end of beach. A large amount of sand seen in breakers.

Ocean beach is curved, front has been levelled out into gradual rise. Waves have been high up at last hi tide.

Water level in estuary & channel is very low & extremely large areas of sand have been left uncovered projecting north into estuary. Sand has been scoured out at entrance uncovering base of rocks & remains of original pile from early breakwater

Natural opening occurred overnight. Very strong dark & dirty outflow through a very wide opening 30- 40m., waves entering from SW swell & very strong longshore drift  crossing over outflow. Very dynamic whirlpool in outflow around & east of rocks. Wave action has caused 'pulsing' at G2 & Lt1

East side of channel has 3 - 4m high sheer side at entrance which reduces to about 1m. on meeting the estuary. This channel entry from estuary is also extremely wide.

Sand is continually collapsing into out flow also from wave action at entrance

Last hi tide mark on beach indicate waves have been over the berm almost up to dunes

Low track has almost drained but extremely large amounts of dead veg. remained piled high over the start of the track. OCR clear of water between bridge & camp ground but water remains in deep holes east of that area. Camp ground still has water in south & west areas