Swan Lake is located on the south coast of New South Wales. It is classed as a back-dune lagoon with an intermittently closed connection to the sea via a narrow channel aptly named Swan Lake Inlet.
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 Swan Lake was completed over the 2021–22 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 good with:
- algae abundance graded good (B)
- 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 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 Swan Lake since 2008. This table shows the water quality grades for this estuary over that time.
| Year | Algae | Ware clarity | Overall grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | A | A | A |
| 2014–15 | B | A | A |
Physical characteristics
| Estuary type | Back-dune lagoon |
|---|---|
| Latitude (ºS) | –35.2 |
| Longitude (ºE) | 150.56 |
| Catchment area (km2) | 26.4 |
| Estuary area (km2) | 4.7 |
| Estuary volume (ML) | 10,997.7 |
| Average depth (m) | 2.4 |
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 Swan Lake is moderately disturbed. About 70% of the catchment is forest and includes part of Conjola National Park. The urban areas of Sussex Inlet, Cudmirrah and Swan Haven occupy about 10% of the catchment.
National and marine parks
- Conjola National Park is the largest conservation area within this catchment.
- This estuary does not flow into a marine park.
Citizen science projects
- The Budawang Coast Nature Map is an online data platform the community can use to record and identify biodiversity. Data collected is used to map the distribution of native plant and animal species from Moruya up almost to Kiama.
- Our South Coast Shorebird Recovery Program provides the opportunity for people to get involved in the protection and recovery of shore birds.
Community involvement
- The Shoalhaven Landcare Association represents a range of volunteer groups working in and around the Burrill Lake catchment.
- Shoalhaven City Council’s Bushcare webpage provides links to a range of active groups in and around this catchment.
Aerial view of Swan Lake 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
Estuaries provide important breeding, nursery and feeding grounds for many animals, such as fish and birds.
Find out more about the biodiversity in our estuaries.