Peel-Harvey Estuary
The Peel - Harvey Estuary, Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary and Peel and called Inlet - Harvey Estuarine System, is formed from two natural estuaries, which are connected to each other and extending approximately parallel to the coast of the Australian state of Western Australia. The Harvey Estuary is located south of the city of Mandurah. On the strip of land between the Indian Ocean and the estuaries, the Old Coast Road and the east side of the Peel - Harvey Estuary of the Forrest Highway, the main route between Perth and the coastal towns of the southwest corner of this state including Bunbury and Busselton runs.
Description
The water catchment area of the Peel - Harvey Estuary extends south of Byford in the territory of the metropolis of Perth approximately 100 km to the City Harvey and inland to the Darling Range, with the cities Yarrahdale and Dwellingup. Mandurah is the largest urban population in the catchment area that extends from the mouth into the ocean at Peel Inlet along the northern coast of Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary.
The water area of the Peel - Harvey Estuary comprises about 136 km ² with an average water depth of 2 m.
The Harvey River drains at the extreme southern end of the elongated Harvey Estuary, the water surface is about 56 square kilometers. The Harvey Estuary extends to the north -lying Peel Inlet, which is quite plump and 75 km ². The Serpentine River and Murray River discharge into the Peel Inlet.
A 5 km long channel at the Peel Inlet passes through the town Mandurah and then in the Indian Ocean. After several toxic algal blooms caused by fertilizer and pig farming along the rivers, an artificial canal was built, which opened in 1994. The Dawesville Channel allows the salty sea water penetrates and creates a tidal range. This changes the water and the environmental conditions have improved markedly.
In the eastern basin of the Peel - Harvey Estuary 75 % of the natural vegetation has been cleared; it is fairly flat and rainless and is used as pasture for dairy cattle breeding. The land was cleared in the early days of European settlement to allow the livestock. In this area a Drainagsystem was installed that drains the water catchment area fast.
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 from Blue swimmer crab ( Portunus pelagicus ) and the Western King Prawns ( Penaeus latisulcatus ), and the Pisces Black Bream, Mulloway, Blue fish and Cobbler ( Cnidoglanis macrocephalus). Even dolphins walk on these streets.
In the estuary itself also hold numerous water birds such as Rotkehlstrandläufer, Ruddy Turnstone, crescent beach runners and bar-tailed godwit.
Recreation area
The Peel - Harvey Estuary is frequently visited by boaters and anglers, who find numerous boat ramps and places to picnic along the foreshore and sandy beaches there. Houseboats can be rented in Mandurah for exploring the Peel - Harvey Estuary and the Murray River. In the recreation area is an urban settlement along the shore as well as a man- made canal system of Mandurah and at North Yunderup South Yunderup and.