Berrara Creek is a small lagoon with an intermittently closed entrance located next to the town of Berrara on the south coast of New South Wales.
Water quality report card
As part of our water quality monitoring program we assess the water quality and ecosystem health of an estuary using a range of relevant indicators. We sample a subset of the estuaries between Wollongong and the Victorian border every 3 years. The most recent sampling in Berrara Creek was completed over the 2020–21 summer, when 2 sites were sampled on a monthly basis.
This report card represents 2 water quality indicators that we routinely measure: the amount of algae present and water clarity. Low levels of these 2 indicators equate with good water quality.
Algae
Water clarity
Overall grade
The report card shows the condition of the estuary was excellent with:
- algae abundance graded excellent (A)
- water clarity graded excellent (A)
- overall estuary health graded excellent (A).
Grades for algae, water clarity and overall are represented as:
- A – excellent
- B – good
- C – fair
- D – poor
- E – very poor.
Go to estuary report cards to find out what each grade means, read our sampling, data analysis and reporting protocols, and find out how we calculate these grades.
We have monitored water quality in the Berrara Creek estuary since 2014. This table shows the water quality grades for this estuary over that time.
| Year | Algae | Water clarity | Overall grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | A | B | B |
Physical characteristics
| Estuary type | Lagoon |
|---|---|
| Latitude | –35.21 (ºS) |
| Longitude | 150.55 (ºE) |
| Catchment area | 35 km2 |
| Estuary area | 0.3 km2 |
| Estuary volume | 131.7 ML |
| Average depth | 0.5 m |
Notes: km2 = square kilometres; m = metres; ML = megalitres.
Water depth and survey data
Bathymetric and coastal topography data for this estuary are available in our data portal.
Land use
The catchment of Berrara Creek is relatively undisturbed, with over 95% located in Conjola National Park.
National and marine parks
- The largest conservation area in the Berrara Creek catchment is Conjola National Park.
- There is no marine park associated with this estuary.
Citizen science projects
- Our South Coast Shorebird Recovery Program provides the opportunity for people to get involved in the protection and recovery of shore birds.
Community involvement
- Berrara Creek is a popular recreation spot.
Aerial view of Berrara Creek estuary.
Local government management
Local councils manage estuaries within their area unless the estuary is attached to a marine park.
Shoalhaven City Council manages this estuary.
Threatened species
The Berrara Creek estuary is home to a number of native and threatened species, such as the sooty oystercatcher and the hooded plover.
Read more about the biodiversity in our estuaries.