Peel-Harvey Estuary

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The Peel-Harvey Estuary , also called Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary and Peel Inlet-Harvey Estuarine System , is formed from two natural estuaries that are connected and extend roughly parallel to the coast of the Australian state of Western Australia . The Harvey Estuary is south of the city of Mandurah . On the strip of land between the Indian Ocean and the estuaries runs the Old Coast Road and on the east side of the Peel-Harvey Estuary the Forrest Highway , the main route between Perth and the coastal cities of the southwestern corner of this state including Bunbury and Busselton .

description

The catchment area of ​​the Peel-Harvey Estuary extends south of Byford in the metropolitan area of ​​Perth approximately 100 km to the city of Harvey and inland to the Darling Range , with the cities of Yarrahdale and Dwellingup . Mandurah forms the largest urban settlement in the basin, stretching from the confluence with the ocean at Peel Inlet along the north coast of Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary.

The water area of ​​the Peel-Harvey Estuary covers approximately 136 km² with an average water depth of 2 m.

The Harvey River drains at the extreme southern end of the elongated Harvey Estuary , whose water surface is about 56 km². The Harvey Estuary stretches to the north of Peel Inlet , which is quite rounded and 75 km² in size. The Serpentine River and Murray River flow into the Peel Inlet .

A 5 km long canal at Peel Inlet runs through the city of Mandurah and then into the Indian Ocean. After several poisonous algae blooms , caused by fertilizers from agriculture and pig breeding along the rivers, an artificial canal was created, which was opened in 1994. The Dawesville Channel allows the salty lake water to penetrate and create a tidal range . As a result, the water changes and the ecological conditions have noticeably improved.

In the eastern catchment area of ​​the Peel-Harvey Estuary , 75% of the natural vegetation has been cleared; it is fairly flat and rainless, and is used as grazing land for dairy cattle rearing. The land was cleared in the early days of European settlement to allow for cattle breeding. A drainage system has been installed in this area , which quickly drains the water catchment area.

The Lake Preston , Lake Clifton and the Leschenault Estuary are located further south.

Flora and fauna

The Peel-Harvey Estuary is home to an extensive marine life of Blue swimmer crab ( Portunus pelagicus ) and the Western king prawns ( Penaeus latisulcatus ) and fish Black Bream , Mulloway , bluefish and Cobbler ( Cnidoglanis macrocephalus ). Even dolphins walk on these streets.

In the estuary there are also numerous water birds such as red throated sandpipers , turnstone , crescent sandpipers and common woodcock .

Recreation area

The Peel-Harvey Estuary is frequented by boaters and anglers, who find numerous boat ramps and picnic areas along the shore and on sandy beaches. Houseboats are available for hire in Mandurah for exploring the Peel-Harvey Estuary and the Murray River . In the recreation area there is urban settlement along the banks as well as a man-made canal system from Mandurah and at North Yunderup and South Yunderup .

Web links

literature

  • Ian Potter: The influence of the Dawesville Channel on recruitment, distribution and emigration of crustaceans and fish in the Peel-Harvey estuary. 1995. ( bookshop.frdc.com.au ( Memento of August 24, 2006 in the Internet Archive ))
  • CC Wilson, J. Latchford: Water Quality of the Peel-Harvey, July 1994 to April 1995. 1995, OCLC 1050320382 .
  • J. Lane, A. Clarke, G. Pearson: Waterbirds of Peel-Harvey estuary in 1998-99 . Department of Conservation and Land Management, 2002. OCLC 223640774 .

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary at www.environment.gov.au . Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  2. ^ Mark Rivers: Overview of the Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary - genesis to water quality. (PDF file; 268 kB). Retrieved February 8, 2011.

Coordinates: 32 ° 36 '  S , 115 ° 42'  E