Merrica River is located on the south coast of New South Wales. It is classed as a small creek with an intermittently closed entrance.
This estuary is recognised as near pristine because it is protected within Nadgee Nature Reserve.
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 the Merrica River was completed over the 2008–09 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.
Physical characteristics
| Estuary type | Back-dune lagoon |
|---|---|
| Latitude (ºS) | –35.48 |
| Longitude (ºE) | 150.39 |
| Catchment area (km2) | 19.3 |
| Estuary area (km2) | 1.4 |
| Estuary volume (ML) | 1296.8 |
| Average depth (m) | 0.9 |
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 Meroo Lake is moderately disturbed, with 20% cleared for grazing around the locality of Termeil. Over 65% of the catchment is forested and lies within Meroo National Park, and higher up in the catchment on Forestry Corporation land.
National and marine parks
- This estuary is situated within Nadgee Nature Reserve.
- This estuary does not flow into a marine park.
Community involvement
- The National Parks and Wildlife Service offers many ways for volunteers to get involved in environmental and educational projects in our coastal national parks.
Aerial view of Merrica River estuary.
Local government management
Local councils manage estuaries within their area unless the estuary is attached to a marine park.
Threatened species
The pristine catchment of Merrica River supports many threatened species including the striated fieldwren.
Find out more about the biodiversity in our estuaries.