Jerdacuttup River

	Jerdacuttup River at a glance
	Catchment area:		1818 square kilometres
	Average annual rainfall over catchment:		430 millimetres
	River length:		65 kilometres
	Annual discharge volume into Jerdacuttup Lakes:		4400 Megalitres
	Percentage cleared:		50%
	River health:		saline

      


The Jerdacuttup River starts on the edge of the Yilgarn Plateau, north of Ravensthorpe, and drains the eastern side of the Ravensthorpe Range. Further south it traverses the coastal sandplain and drains to the Jerdacuttup Lakes, which are separated permanently from the sea by a densely vegetated foredune, some 8-10 metres high. The Jerdacuttup Lakes are fully contained within a nature reserve which extends along the coast from Lake Shaster to the Jerdacuttup Lakes. The inland extremities of the catchment have been cleared for agriculture, as well as extensive areas on the coastal plain.

Flow of the Jerdacuttup River is seasonal due to sparse rainfall and absence of significant aquifers to sustain baseflow. The water in the river is saline.

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. Four sites were sampled on the Jerdacuttup River.

Further Information:

South Coast Regional Land and Water Care Strategy: The Fitzgerald-Biosphere Sub-region. Prepared by: the South Coast Regional Assessment Panel and the South Coast Regional Initiative Planning Team March 1997.