“The data is clear that there is no reduction in the total volume of water leaving the Myall Lakes or the Myall River, just a temporary increase in the amount of fresh water flowing into Port Stephens,” Department of Environment and Climate Change’s Waters and Coastal Science Section acting manager Peter Scanes said.

The Myall River has come under scrutiny recently from locals and experts with large quantities of fish suffering from winters and red spot diseases found in the river.

Many residents have spoken to the Nota, concerned that the closure of the shortcut is causing the trouble in the river but this is not the case.

“The current situation is not a result of the system being blocked or chocked at its mouth. If this were the case then the lake should be getting deeper as time goes on, which is not happening,” Dr Scanes said.

The Myall Lakes is a naturally slow flushing system, unlike other NSW estuarine systems.

The slow flushing, combined with higher than average rainfall earlier in the year, is contributing to the problem.

“It is estimated it could take around 750 to 800 days to flush the entire volume of the Myall Lakes,” Dr Scanes said.

Dr Scanes said people should be concentrating on improving the catchment management using processes such as the Water Quality Improvement Plan and not become diverted by the natural water conditions at Tea Gardens.