Middle Lagoon is located on the far south coast of New South Wales. It is classed as a back dune lagoon with an entrance intermittently open and closed to the ocean.
Middle Lagoon estuary includes significant wetland habitat.
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 Middle Lagoon was completed over the 2023–24 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. The numerical scores for these 2 indicators are averages to give the overall grade.
Algae
Water clarity
Overall grade
The report card shows the condition of the estuary was good with:
- algae abundance graded fair (C)
- water clarity graded excellent (A)
- overall estuary health graded good (B).
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 cardsto 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 Middle Lagoon since 2014. This table shows the water quality grades for this estuary over that time.
| Year | Algae | Water clarity | Overall grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | C | A | B |
| 2022–23 | B | B | B |
| 2021–22 | B | C | C |
| 2020–21 | B | A | A |
| 2014–15 | C | B | C |
Physical characteristics
| Estuary type | Back-dune lagoon |
|---|---|
| Latitude (ºS) | –36.65 |
| Longitude (ºE) | 150.01 |
| Catchment area (km2) | 27.3 |
| Estuary area (km2) | 0.6 |
| Estuary volume (ML) | 334.8 |
| Average depth (m) | 0.7 |
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 Middle Lagoon is moderately disturbed, with 30% of the land cleared for grazing. Forested areas make up 60% of the catchment, located largely within Mimosa Rocks National Park.
National and marine parks
- Mimosa Rocks National Park is the largest conservation area in this catchment.
- This estuary does not flow into a marine park.
Citizen science projects
- The Far South Coast Conservation Management Network supports the local community to better manage native biodiversity. The network organises citizen science projects, provides information for private landowners, manages a local plant database, and coordinates events.
Community involvement
- The Bega River and Wetlands Landcare Group is a volunteer group dedicated to improving the health of the Bega River, wetlands and floodplains.
- The Far South Coast Landcare Association is a volunteer environmental and conservation organisation that works to improve management of local land and water.
Aerial view of Middle Lagoon estuary.
Local government management
Local councils manage estuaries within their area. Where the estuary is attached to a marine park, marine park management teams are responsible for ensuring compliance with park zoning.
Bega Valley Shire Council manages this estuary.
Threatened species
Saltmarsh and mangrove communities occur on the shoreline of Middle Lagoon.
Read more about the biodiversity in our estuaries.