Tuggerah Lake is located on the central coast of New South Wales. It is classed as a large lake which is connected to the ocean at The Entrance. Although it is predominantly open to the sea, the estuary entrance channel does close on occasion.
The Tuggerah Lakes consist of 3 interconnected estuaries: Tuggerah Lake, Budgewoi Lake and Lake Munmorah, which are connected by narrow channels. Tuggerah Lake estuary drains Lake Munmorah and Budgewoi Lake.
Tuggerah Lake is relatively shallow for its size. It is a highly productive system that contains a large biomass of aquatic vegetation. The estuary supports significant recreational and commercial fisheries and features a large network of foreshore reserves for residents and holiday makers to enjoy.
Water quality
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 13 sites on a monthly basis in Tuggerah Lakes as part of a collaborative program with Central Coast Council. The most recent sampling was completed over 2020–21. Sampling is ongoing.
The results of the monitoring program, including a detailed water quality report card, are available on the Central Coast Council website.
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.
As part of our Beachwatch program we assess swimming suitability at 2 swimming sites in Tuggerah Lakes using microbial indicators. Central Coast Council collect samples at each site weekly between October and April, and monthly from May to September, to calculate the suitability grade. Sampling is ongoing. Each grade reflects the most recent 100 water quality results to April 2022. Find out more about how we monitor beach water quality.
| Local government area | Swim site name | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Central Coast | Lake Munmorah Baths | Poor |
| Central Coast | Canton Beach | Poor |
Estuarine, lake and lagoon water can sometimes be unsuitable for swimming, especially after rainfall, when stormwater and wastewater can overflow into swimming areas. Learn more about what the grades mean and how we grade swimming sites on the Beachwatch How we report webpage.
Water sampling and laboratory analysis were funded by Central Coast Council.
Physical characteristics
| Estuary type | Lake |
|---|---|
| Latitude (ºS) | –33.34 |
| Longitude (ºE) | 151.5 |
| Catchment area (km2) | 714.5 |
| Estuary area (km2) | 80.8 |
| Estuary volume (ML) | 193,231.2 |
| Average depth (m) | 2.4 |
Tidal exchange volume
Tidal exchange volume or tidal prism data is available for this estuary. This tidal prism was measured in 1993.
| Tide state | Flow (ML) | Local tidal range (m) | Sydney Harbour tidal range (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ebb flow | Not determined | Not determined | Not determined |
| Flood flow | 2,590 | 1.37 | 1.39 |
Notes: km2 = square kilometres; m = metres; m3 = cubic metres; ML = megalitres.
Water depth and survey data
Bathymetric and coastal topography data for this estuary are available in our data portal.
Land use
Tuggerah Lake drains a moderately disturbed catchment. Around two-thirds of the catchment is forested. Grazing land and urban areas have been the main drivers of land use changes in around about one-third of the catchment.
Water use
Find out about water use in the Macquarie Tuggerah catchment, including information about major water users, real-time flow data, and environmental and water sharing plans.
National and marine parks
- Jilliby State Conservation Area is located within the western catchment of this estuary.
- This estuary does not flow into a marine park.
Community involvement
- The Central Coast Council Landcare Program helps coordinate a number of volunteer environmental groups. This includes Central Coast Council (Wyong) Landcare, which supports local volunteer bushcare, coastcare and dunecare groups that work around this estuary.
Aerial view of Tuggerah Lakes estuary.
Local government management
Local councils manage estuaries within their area unless the estuary is attached to a marine park.
Tuggerah Lake estuary is managed by the Central Coast Council. More information about this estuary, including an estuary management plan, can be found on the council’s Tuggerah Lake estuary webpage.
Threatened species
Tuggerah Lake supports habitat for many threatened species, including shorebirds such as the endangered curlew sandpiper.
Find out more about the biodiversity in our estuaries.