MidCoast Council is closely monitoring water levels at Smiths Lake following heavy rainfall over the past week, with a possible opening to the ocean being considered.
As of Thursday, 22 October, the lake had risen to 1.86 metres above Australian Height Datum (AHD), approaching the 2.10-metre threshold that triggers consideration of an opening.
Council’s Manager Natural Systems, Gerard Tuckerman, said water levels and weather forecasts were being closely monitored.
“We monitor the Lake levels and weather forecast closely once the water level approaches the trigger for opening,” said Council’s Manager Natural Systems, Gerard Tuckerman.
“At this stage predicted weather conditions may warrant an opening in the near future.”
Smiths Lake is an intermittently open and closed coastal lagoon, which naturally opens to the ocean when water levels rise and closes as sand accumulates through wave, tidal and wind activity.
Council can also manually open the lake to help prevent minor flooding of nearby properties and roads while minimising environmental impacts.
Before proceeding, council must consider conditions that support the health and productivity of the estuary and ensure water levels are high enough for an effective opening.
Residents and visitors are being urged to monitor lake levels and prepare to remove vessels ahead of any opening to avoid them becoming stranded.
“We’re encouraging residents and visitors to monitor Lake levels and our website for notice of the Lake opening and make plans to remove your vessels from the Lake so they are not stranded when it is opened,” said Tuckerman.
Real-time water levels are available through the NSW Government monitoring website.
Further information, including a video explaining how Smiths Lake is managed and the Smiths Lake Coastal Zone Management Plan, is available on MidCoast Council’s website.
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