A video detailing the science of Tuggerah Lakes has been developed by Central Coast Council’s Estuary Management Team.
Viewers can take a close-up look at the workings of the complex Tuggerah Lakes detailing the science of the lagoon system and quite a few very interesting facts.
It’s an informative 22-minute video which has been put together to deliver an easily understood coverage on a wide range of topics from background information, historic changes, human impacts, next steps for Tuggerah lakes and much more.
The video shows projects including stormwater quality improvement, saltmarsh rehabilitation, bush regeneration, water quality monitoring, streambank rehabilitation and recreational upgrades, and there’s an interactive map to click on each site to bring up more detail.
The effects of changes in urbanisation are covered as are the results of various studies and reports that have been conducted over the years, and subsequently, what action has been taken.
It explains how the ecosystem works and responds to changes, where pollution comes from and how individuals and the community can play a part in the health of the lagoon system.
Tuggerah Lakes is the eighth largest estuary in NSW (of 184) and covers more than 80sqkm of water area in the three lakes – Budgewoi, Munmorah and Tuggerah.
The catchment area for the lakes spans over 700sqkm, which is 92 percent of the former Wyong shire, and there are five major tributaries, 228 rivers and creeks, with an annual average flow into the lakes of 193,000ML.
Perched 0.2m to 0.3m above sea level, the lakes have an average depth of 1.7m and are naturally silty.
Water circulation in the lakes is wind driven as opposed to coastal tides and only minor flushing occurs through the channel with the exchange of sea water, accounting for less than one percent of the total volume per day, and tides are generally limited to The Entrance area.
Average retention times for each lake, that is the amount of time water stays in each lakes before being flushed out, is 220 days for Tuggerah Lake, 460days for Budgewoi Lake and 520 days for Lake Munmorah.
To learn more about how the Tuggerah Llakes system works, the video can be viewed on Council’s Youtube Channel or go to Youtu.bue/162u8qqB78g
Source:
Central Coast Council YouTube channel
Reporter: Sue Murray