Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth

An aerial view of the Murray Mouth and Coorong
Photo: Michael Bell

A unique and significant estuary

The Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth extend over approximately 140,000 hectares, covering 23 different wetland types, from very fresh to saltier than the sea. This area, where the River Murray meets the sea, is one of the 10 major havens for large concentrations of wading birds in Australia, and is recognised internationally as a breeding ground for many species of waterbirds and native fish.

The Living Murray first step ecological objectives

The objectives for the Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth are to achieve a healthier Lower Lakes and Coorong estuarine environment, as indicated by:

• an open Murray Mouth
• more frequent estuarine fish spawning and recruitment
• enhanced migratory waterbird habitat in the Lower Lakes and Coorong.

A new environmental water management plan is being developed which will replace the 2006–07 environmental management plan for the Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth icon site.

Monitoring reports

Lower Lakes vegetation condition monitoring 2010–11

Fish spawning in the lower River Murray icon sites, South Australia: with reference to drought intervention monitoring (2009)

Lower Lakes vegetation condition monitoring (2008–09)

Threatened fish populations in the Lower Lakes of the River Murray in spring 2007 and summer 2008 (2008)