Lake Arragan is located within Yuraygir National Park on the north coast of New South Wales. The estuary is classed as a lake with an intermittently closed entrance.
Lake Arragan has been recognised as a near-pristine estuary and its ecological and recreational value is valued by visitors to the camping area adjacent to the 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 located between the Queensland border and Taree every 3 years. The most recent sampling in Lake Arragan 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 excellent (A)
- water clarity graded fair (C)
- 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 Lake Arragan since 2009. This table shows the water quality grades for this estuary over that time.
| Year | Algae | Water clarity | Overall grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | B | D | C |
| 2012–13 | A | A | A |
Physical characteristics
| Estuary type | Lake |
|---|---|
| Latitude | –29.57 (ºS) |
| Longitude | 153.34 (ºE) |
| Catchment area | 9.3 km2 |
| Estuary area | 1 km2 |
| Estuary volume | 813.7 ML |
| Average depth | 0.8 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
The catchment of Lake Arragan remains virtually undisturbed and completely forested within Yuraygir National Park.
National and marine parks
- Lake Arragan is located within Yuraygir National Park.
- There are no marine parks associated with this estuary.
Aerial view of Lake Arragan
Local government management
Local councils manage estuaries within their area unless the estuary is attached to a marine park. Clarence Valley Council manage this estuary.
Threatened species
The heathlands surrounding Lake Arragan provide habitat for many threatened species such as the vulnerable eastern ground parrot.
Find out more about the biodiversity in our estuaries.