Bournda Lagoon is located on the south coast of New South Wales north of Merimbula. It is classed as a small creek 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 Bournda Lagoon 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
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 the Bournda Lagoon since 2017. This table shows the water quality grades for this estuary over that time.
| Year | Algae | Water clarity | Overall grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | A | A | A |
Physical characteristics
| Estuary type | Creek |
|---|---|
| Latitude | –36.82 (ºS) |
| Longitude | 149.94 (ºE) |
| Catchment area | 34.5 km2 |
| Estuary area | 0.1 km2 |
| Estuary volume | 26.7 ML |
| Average depth | 0.3 m |
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
Over 90% of the of Bournda Lagoon catchment remains forested and protected within Bournda National Park and Bournda Nature Reserve. Grazing and urban areas account for less than 10% of the catchment.
National and marine parks
- This estuary is situated within Bournda National Park.
- 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 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 Bournda Lagoon 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
The catchment for the Bournda Lagoon estuary contains a stronghold for the endangered Merimbula star-hair. This shrub is known to exist in only 3 localities in New South Wales.
Read more about the biodiversity in our estuaries.