KAPPINGHAT CREEK
Kappinghat Creek is the only naturally opening and closing estuarine system on the mid north coast of NSW. According to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, Kappinghat Creek has the following properties
- The estuary area is 1.2 km2
- The average depth of the estuary is 0.9 metres
- The volume of the estuary is 885.1 ML (Megalitres)
- Has a catchment area of 90.7 km2
- Drains a moderately disturbed catchment.
- Around 70% of the land remains forested and a lot of this land is managed in conservation areas or by Forestry Corporation, including areas of the Kappinghat Nature Reserve and the Talawahl State Conservation Area
- Urban areas and rural residential–grazing areas each make up about 14% of land use.
An estuary is an area where a freshwater river or stream meets the ocean. When freshwater and seawater combine, the water becomes brackish, or slightly salty. When dense, salty seawater flows into an estuary, it has an estuarine current. High tides can create estuarine currents. When less-dense freshwater from a river flows into the estuary, it has an anti-estuarine current.
Numerous factors may contribute to whether the entrance of the creek to the ocean is open or closed.
High flows of water from the catchment area down Kappinghat Creek, especially during periods of high rainfall contribute to the creek's entrance being open. The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day was 280.2mm! High tides / king tides, abnormally large waves such as those that occur during east coast low events also may contribute to the entrance being open.
Periods of low rainfall, sediment movement down Kappinghat Creek, evaporation, long shore drift of sand towards the entrance of Kappinghat Creek and periods without excessively large wave activity are likely to contribute to the entrance of the creek being closed.
Activities near this Earthcache:
In the vicinity of the cache you can enjoy relaxed picnicking or barbecues at this well-equipped picnic area with ocean beaches and walking tracks nearby where you can swim, fish, surf, or birdwatch. Alternatively enjoy flatwater kayaking or canoeing in a lovely, tranquil estuary setting at Khappinghat Creek. Seeing rainforest, mangroves, salt flats, and sedge and rush-dominated, undeveloped wetlands from your kayak is a completely immersive experience.
Saltwater Beach and its surrounds are a cultural landscape of great importance to the local Aboriginal Biripi tribe. Joint management with Aboriginal people and local residents, in association with Saltwater Tribal Council and NPWS, gives this place special local importance.
To claim this Earthcache:
1. Visit the Posted Coordinates and answer these questions:
- At the time of your visit, was Kappinghat Creek open or closed to the sea?
- Why do you think this is the case at this time? What recent environmental conditions do you think may have contributed this being the case?
- Describe the terrain on either side of the creek's entrance to the Pacific Ocean. Which side of the creek (North or South) is more likely to contribute to the entrance of the creek being closed due to variation in the terrain?
2. Provide a photo of yourself or a personal item to you have visited Kappinghat Creek (EG caching name written on your hand). If you upload your photo as part of your log make sure it does not give away the answer as to whether the creek is currently open or closed to the sea!
Please send your answers to me via the geocaching website - e-mail or message. The answers to these questions should not be included in your log, nor should your log include spoiler photos.
You do not need to wait for a reply from me to log your find, however if you have not sent me the answers within seven days of logging your find, or your log does not include a picture containing evidence of you at Kappinghat creek, you can expect your find to be deleted.
Enjoy your trip to Kappinghat creek!
References
Khappinghat Creek | NSW Environment and Heritage
Khappinghat Creek | NSW National Parks
Estuary | National Geographic Society
Swan Lake Inlet - a similar cache about a naturally opening and closing lake on the South Coast of NSW (GC7ZWR3)