Tributaries to the Lake Warden system

	Tributaries to Lake Warden System at a glance
	Catchment area:		157,000 hectares
	Percentage cleared:		95%
	Data selection

      


The Lake Warden Catchment consists of four sub-catchments, the Neridup Creek Catchment, Bandy Creek Catchment, Coramup Creek Catchment, and Esperance Western Lakes Catchment. The total area of the catchment is about 157 000 hectares and contains about 160 farms. The catchment is considered a high waterlogging and salinity hazard area and contains less than 5% of its original native vegetation as a result of clearing for agricultural land.

Bandy Creek is approximately 30 kilometres long and drains salt lake country on the sandplain plateau north of Esperance, much of which is cleared for agriculture.

Towards the coast it passes through the swamp and lake system of the Lake Mullet Nature Reserve, where it is joined by other tributaries. To the east, Mt Edward Creek feeds the lake system and to the west, Coramup Creek. It is estimated that Coramup Creek contributes about 7 300 Megalitres/annum, Bandy Creek 7 000 Megalitres/annum and Mt Edward Creek 7 500 Megalitres/annum into the lake system. Water leaving the lake system flows over a drop structure into Esperance Bay, where the estuary has been converted into a small boat harbour. The whole system is a saline throughout.

In 2005 a project (Our Living Rivers) was set up to collect and analyse data, enabling the Department of Water to monitor the health of the river over time and help determine what systems need better protection. In spring 2006 and 2007 samples were taken from the river system to assess the quality of the water and habitat as well as the presence of fish and macroinvertebrates. Two sites were sampled on Bandy Creek, and two on Coramup Creek.

Further Information:

South Coast Regional Land and Water Care Strategy: The Esperance-Sandplain Sub-region
   Prepared by: the South Coast Regional Assessment Panel and the South Coast Regional Initiative Planning Team February 1997