Dickson Inlet

The area of the Dickson Inlet estuary reporting zone can be defined by the pre-cleared extent of mangrove and saltmarsh remnant vegetation which is characterised by species that require periodic inundation of sea water.

This area extends approximately 6.5 km north-east and 3.5 km south of the inlet mouth along the coastline and extends approximately 3.3 km inland. The area includes several coastal tributaries that drain into the Inlet.

Land use within the Dickson Inlet estuary area is dominated by residential and tourism service developments. There is a marina located within the Inlet.

The town of Port Douglas (population 3,205) is located within the estuary area and is a major tourism centre which attracts many national and international visitors each year.

The Dickson Inlet estuary grade has remained ‘good’ in 2023-24 and the score increased from 69 to 73 since the previous year. The Mossman Basin, including the catchment of Dickson Inlet, experienced extreme rainfall and flooding of waterways in December following landfall of Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

Key results

• The water quality grade for Dickson Inlet improved from ‘good’ ‘very good’ and annual water quality condition was not adversely impacted by the extreme rainfall and flooding from Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
• Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved oxygen (DO) improved from ‘moderate’ to ‘good’ and filterable reactive phosphorus improved from ‘good’ to ‘very good’, since the previous year.

The diagram below shows the detailed results for each indicator by year. Click on the timeslider to see data from previous years.