Merimbula Lake Entrance Sediment Study
The Merimbula Lake Entrance Sediment Study will provide an analysis of sediment dynamics and drivers at Merimbula Lake entrance bar.
Project Summary/background
Estuary entrances are highly dynamic environments with sand movement impacted by catchment flows, tides and wave activity. In early 2020, successive storm events caused significant erosion along the southern end of Merimbula Main Beach. Stakeholders including commercial and recreational boaters also identified issues with crossing the bar due to changes in the channel and changes to the bar offshore.
The Merimbula Lake Entrance Sediment Study will provide an analysis of sediment dynamics and drivers at Merimbula Lake entrance bar. The aims of the study are to:
- more accurately define sediment transport pathways
- investigate likely range of movement of morphological features
- investigate long term trends of key features
- improve understanding of key environmental drivers for morphological changes
- inform the feasibility and viability of management options.
Purpose
Fluctuations in the entrance channel and sand bar have caused concern among commercial and recreational boat users within the lake. This study will review historical changes in the channel, bar and surrounding beaches utilising historical satellite imagery and available data, and investigate key drivers.
Funding
$30,000 via Transport for NSW (TfNSW) Boating Access Dredging Program and a $5,000 contribution from Bega Valley Shire Council.
Connection to Council's Community Strategic Plan
This project links to Council's Community Strategic Plan through:
- Outcome 3: Sustainable Living
- Goal 5: Our air and water is pristine and our natural environment and rural landscapes are protected.
- Strategy 10: Support innovative land use policies, government and community/business partnerships and community engagement activities that care for and enhance the natural environment.
Who can I speak to
Rachel Duczynski
Coastal Management Officer
Bega Valley Shire Council
Phone: 0436 367 370
Email: rduczynski@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
Related documents
Timeline of works
80 years of coastal change at
Merimbula, NSW Australia
A timelapse of aerial imagery at Merimbula Beach on the Far South Coast of NSW in Australia, showing 80 years of coastal change since 1940. Data has been collated by the UNSW Water Research Laboratory on behalf of Bega Valley Shire Council.
Satellite view of changes to
Merimbula since 2016
Planetlab satellite imagery of Merimbula entrance on the Far South Coast of NSW, Australia, since 2016.
News and Updates
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- council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
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