Wallagoot Lake estuary is located on the far south coast of New South Wales. It is classed as a back-dune lagoon with an intermittently closed entrance.
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 Wallagoot Lake 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
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 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 Wallagoot Lake since 2008. This table shows the water quality grades for this estuary over that time.
| Year | Algae | Water clarity | Overall grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | B | A | B |
| 2009–10 | B | A | B |
| 2010–11 | B | A | B |
| 2011–12 | B | B | B |
| 2012–13 | A | A | A |
| 2016–17 | B | A | A |
| 2017–18 | B | A | B |
Physical characteristics
| Estuary type | Back-dune lagoon |
|---|---|
| Latitude (ºS) | –36.79 |
| Longitude (ºE) | 149.96 |
| Catchment area (km2) | 26.5 |
| Estuary area (km2) | 4 |
| Estuary volume (ML) | 5342.4 |
| Average depth (m) | 1.4 |
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 Wallagoot Lake has relatively low disturbance, with over 70% forested and located in Bournda National Park and Bournda Nature Reserve. Cleared land for grazing and rural residence comprises about 15% of the catchment.
National and marine parks
- Bournda Nature Reserve 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 Wallagoot Lake estuary.
Local government management
Local councils manage estuaries within their area unless the estuary is attached to a marine park. Bega Valley Shire Council manages this estuary.
Threatened species
Estuaries provide an important protected environment for salt-tolerant plants like sea grasses and mangroves.
Read more about the biodiversity in our estuaries.