Merri River Estuary
Glenelg Hopkins CMA
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Active Merri River EstuaryWatch Group
The Merri Estuary is located near Warrnambool in southwest Victoria. The river has two openings to the sea, both artificially modified. In 1859, the course of the Merri River was diverted in an attempt to prevent sedimentation in Lady Bay (Gill 1984). The main channel of the Merri River now discharges into the sea at Stingray Bay east of Pickering Point.
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Estuary Values
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Sites
M1 |
Stanley StreetActive Physico-Chemical 27-10-2013 - 10-01-2026Monitoring has historically been conducted from the pedestrian crossing on the downstream side of the Stanley Street (Edwards Bridge), Warrnambool. In February 2022, this site was temporarily moved 100m upstream onto the left bank of the Merri River, with sampling occurring from the new floating pontoon while the new bridge was under construction. Sampling has since returned to the Edwards Bridge in 2024 once the new bridge was completed; undertaken on the downstream (southern) side pedestrian access. Observations 134 |
M2 |
Fonterra Floating PontoonActive Physico-Chemical 17-11-2013 - 10-01-2026The floating pontoon at the end of the Esplanade, Warrnambool. Observations 134 |
MGB |
Merri River Water Level Gauge BoardActive Gauge BoardGauge board can be found on the retaining wall downstream of the Stanley Street Bridge. When looking downstream from the pedestrian bridge you will see it on the right. |
MMC1 |
Sting Ray BayActive Mouth Condition 27-10-2013 - 10-01-2026Where the Merri River exits into Sting Ray Bay. Observations 142 |
MMC2 |
Rutledges CuttingActive Mouth Condition 07-12-2013 - 10-01-2026Beach access track at the most eastern carpark in Belfast Coastal Reserve. Observations 134 |
Mp1 |
Stingray BayActive Photopoint 27-03-2014 - 11-01-2026Photo is taken at the bottom of the beach access stairs near Emergency marker WCC112, Sting Ray Bay. Photos 506 |
Mp2 |
Rutledges CuttingActive Photopoint 10-02-2017 - 15-09-2025At the end of the beach access track from the easter carpark in Belfast Coastal Reserve. Photos 251 |
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Mouth Condition Snapshots
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