Towradgi Creek is a small saline coastal lagoon, it is classed as a creek with an entrance that is intermittently open and closed to the ocean, located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales.
Water quality report card
As part of our water quality monitoring program we assess the water quality and ecosystem health of an estuary using a range of relevant indicators. We sample a subset of the estuaries between Wollongong and the Victorian border every 3 years. The most recent sampling in Towradgi Creek was completed over the 2022–23 summer, when 2 sites were sampled on a monthly basis.
This report card represents 2 water quality indicators that we routinely measure: the amount of algae present and water clarity. Low levels of these 2 indicators equate with good water quality. The numerical scores for these 2 indicators are averaged to give the overall grade.
Algae
Water clarity
Overall grade
The report card shows the condition of the estuary was poor with:
- algae abundance graded fair (C)
- water clarity graded poor (D)
- overall estuary health graded poor (D).
Grades for algae, water clarity and overall are represented as:
- A – excellent
- B – good
- C – fair
- D – poor
- E – very poor.
Go to estuary report cards to find out what each grade means, read our sampling, data analysis and reporting protocols, and find out how we calculate these grades.
We have monitored water quality in Towradgi Creek since 2007. This table shows the water quality grades for this estuary over that time.
| Year | Algae | Water clarity | Overall grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | C | D | D |
| 2011–12 | C | D | C |
| 2007–08 | C | D | C |
Physical characteristics
| Estuary type | Creek |
|---|---|
| Latitude (ºS) | –34.38 |
| Longitude (ºE) | 150.92 |
| Catchment area (km2) | 8.6 |
| Estuary area (km2) | 0.04 |
| Estuary volume (ML) | 11.2 |
| Average depth (m) | 0.3 |
Notes: km2 = square kilometres; m = metres; ML = megalitres.
Water depth and survey data
Bathymetric and coastal topography data for this estuary are available in our data portal.
Land use
The Towradgi Creek catchment is highly disturbed, with urban development accounting for roughly two-thirds of land use. The townships of Towradgi and Tarrawanna, to the north of Wollongong, are in this catchment. About one-third of the catchment remains forested.
National and marine parks
- The Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation area is the largest conservation area in the Towradgi Creek catchment.
- There is no marine park associated with the Towradgi Creek estuary.
Community involvement
- There are over 60 bushcare groups in the Wollongong area. Bushcare volunteers help regenerate and care for local bushland.
Aerial view of Towradgi Creek estuary.
Local government management
Local councils manage estuaries within their area. Where an estuary is attached to a marine park, marine park management teams are responsible for ensuring compliance with marine park zoning.
Wollongong City Council manages the Towradgi Creek estuary.
Threatened species
Estuaries provide important breeding, nursery and feeding grounds for many animals, such as fish and birds.
Read more about the biodiversity in our estuaries.