Watching water levels in the Crookhaven River

Water data portal goes live

Two water monitoring stations have been installed in Crookhaven River near the Culburra Rd floodgates to help floodgate managers, landholders, and the Shoalhaven community develop a better understanding of the salinity and water-levels up and downstream of floodgates.

As part of the Marine Estate Management Strategy Coastal Wetland Rehabilitation project, DPI Fisheries is working closely with communities, councils, research universities and industry representatives to improve the health of coastal wetlands and maximise the benefits of these important habitats.

Tidal flows in the Crookhaven have been assessed by experts, but this real-time data will help farmers assess how implementation of proposed modifications designed to create healthy and sustained wetlands may affect low elevation paddocks.

The water level data will also assist emergency management during floods, as well as day-to-day management of floodgates by identifying when debris is impacting on the operation of the floodgate, alerting council staff when urgent action is required to stop tidal-saltwater inundating beyond agreed levels.

Determining the right amount and best way to enable tidal water flow through the floodgates, in consultation and coordination with local farmers and area managers, is important because these flows can improve water quality and river health important for oyster aquaculture production, commercial and recreational fishing, tourism and social and cultural values of the Crookhaven River.

The real-time water level data for the Culburra Road floodgate can be viewed here.

This work was funded by the NSW Government under the Marine Estate Management Strategy. The ten-year Strategy was developed by the NSW Marine Estate Management Authority to coordinate the management of the marine estate."

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