'Excellent' water quality in Booker and Woy Woy Bays
Water quality at Woy Woy Bay and Booker Bay has been rated as "excellent", along with Cockle Bay, by Central Coast Council in its recently-released "Waterways report card" for 2019-20.
They were the best of nine sites monitored for chlorophyll and turbidity as having likely negative affects and seagrass depth range as a measure of desirable water clarity.
Council's estuary management team leader Ms Vanessa McCann said that water quality graded from fair in the upper estuary to excellent closer to the mouth.
"Woy Woy Bay, Cockle Bay and Booker Bay were considered excellent for the 2019-20 year while the main basins graded as good.
"The naturally well flushed nature of Brisbane Water is reflected in the good results we have seen over the past three years," Ms McCann said.
"Reduced water quality coming from the Narara, Erina and Kincumber Creek catchments have highlighted some concerns, particularly following heavy rainfall.
"During these times, chlorophyll-a and turbidity can spike in response to catchment runoff.
"It was great however to see a resurgence in seagrass at the Erina Creek site which is a positive sign for ecological health.
"The Coastal Management Programs, which are currently being prepared, provide an ideal opportunity to have a good look at these trends and ensure appropriate management actions are in place and targeted towards turning results around where necessary.
"We can all play a part in this process.
"Our waterways need all of us if we are to make them healthy, functioning ecosystems into the future."
SOURCE:
Media release, 13 Apr 2021
Vanessa McCann, Central Coast Council