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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Sites
M1 |
Stanley StreetActive Physico-Chemical 27-10-2013 - 10-10-2026Monitoring 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 143 |
M2 |
Fonterra Floating PontoonActive Physico-Chemical 17-11-2013 - 10-10-2026The floating pontoon at the end of the Esplanade, Warrnambool. Observations 143 |
MGB |
Merri River Water Level Gauge BoardActive Gauge BoardGauge board was historically located on the retaining wall downstream of the Stanley Street Bridge, but this was removed in 2023/24 when the bridge was rebuilt. A new gauge board is now located with the Merri River Telemetry Station, owned and operated by the CMA, which is located 100m upstream of M1 Stanley Street Bridge, on the left/east bank, accessed via the W'bool to Pt Fairy Rail trail walking path. Safety Notes:
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MMC1 |
Sting Ray BayActive Mouth Condition 27-10-2013 - 10-10-2026Where the Merri River exits into Sting Ray Bay. Observations 151 |
MMC2 |
Rutledges CuttingActive Mouth Condition 07-12-2013 - 10-10-2026Beach access track at the most eastern carpark in Belfast Coastal Reserve. Observations 144 |
Mp1 |
Stingray BayActive Photopoint 27-03-2014 - 19-10-2026Photo is taken at the bottom of the beach access stairs near Emergency marker WCC112, Sting Ray Bay. Photos 534 |
Mp2 |
Rutledges CuttingActive Photopoint 10-02-2017 - 19-10-2026At the end of the beach access track from the easter carpark in Belfast Coastal Reserve. Photos 275 |
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Mouth Condition Snapshots
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