The Grose River subcatchment is located in the Hawkesbury–Nepean catchment. Over 80% of this subcatchment is within the Blue Mountains National Park.
Impacts from residential areas and industry have been confined to the ridges bordering the catchment and have not significantly affected the river's condition. Grazing and logging in the subcatchment and a mine in the headwaters of the Grose River have caused impacts historically, but no major impacts from these activities remain and the mine no longer operates. Despite these disturbances the Grose River and its tributaries in the Blue Mountains National Park are considered to meet the criteria for wild rivers.
