Catchment
The catchment area below Wellington Dam for the estuary covers 1,981 km2 (765 sq mi). The catchment includes part of the Swan Coastal Plain, the Darling Scarp and the Darling Plateau.
The Collie and Preston Rivers are the main catchment rivers and enter the estuary from the southern end and with the catchment runoff discharging into the Indian ocean via the cut in the peninsula.
Other rivers in the catchment area include the Brunswick River, Ferguson and Wellesley as well as numerous other creeks, streams and irrigation drains.
Seven local government areas are located within the catchment including Bunbury, Collie, Capel, Dardanup, Harvey, Donnybrook-Balingup and Boyup Brook. The catchment has a total population of approximately 65,000 people.
The catchment area retains 40% of its natural vegetation, the remainder of the area has been cleared mostly for agricultural purposes with some light industry.
Read more about this topic: Leschenault Estuary