Noosa River Catchment - Physical Profile

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The Noosa River

Without doubt Noosa and its catchment are places of beauty. The name Noosa is believed to mean "Shady Place" in Aboriginal term.

The Noosa River flows predominantly north to south, beginning in the Como Escarpment, passing through the western basin to meet Teewah Creek before flowing south across the Noosa Plain. It then flows between Lakes Como and Cooloola before entering Lake Fig Tree and Lake Cootharaba, continuing to Lake Cooroibah and Lake Weyba and finally enters the South Pacific Ocean at Laguna Bay.

The Noosa River, some 60 km long, is the major drainage element contained within the Noosa River Catchment and the Great Sandy National Park. Major creeks and tributaries include Teewah, Kin Kin, Cooloothin, Ringtail and Cooroibah Creek, Wooroi, Eenie, Keyser, Cranks, Murdering, Horseman and Weyba Creek.

 

The Catchment

The Noosa River Catchment, with an area of some 784 sq. km., is consisted of six major sub-catchments, from north to south:

• Teewah Creek Catchment
• Upper Noosa River Catchment
• Lake Cootharaba - Kin Kin Creek Catchment
• Lake Cooroibah Catchment
• Lower Noosa River Catchment
• Lake Weyba Catchment

The Upper Noosa River Catchment which occupies ~37% of the total catchment area is the largest and most significant contributor. Apart from the large freehold property "Tarangau" and areas of state forest, all of the upper reaches are protected within the bounds of The Great Sandy National Park, Cooloola section.

The Noosa River has consistently been rated as in good condition (A to B rating). The 2009 Ecosystem Health Report Card released on 21 Oct 2009 revealed a rating of B+ for both Noosa catchment and estuary. Results for other catchments in SE QLD were not as good. To learn more about this, go to Healthy Waterways' website.

Noosa River Plan

The Noosa River Plan was endorsed by state cabinet in November 2004, to facilitate a coordinated and consistent approch to the planning, development and management of the Noosa River system. Detailed information of the Noosa River Plan, including the Marine Zone regulation made under the Marine Safety Act, is available on Council website.