Water Corporation to open Wilson Inlet sandbar

An excavator works to open the inlet.

Water Corporation will open the Wilson Inlet sandbar in Denmark on Wednesday 25 September in agreement with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), Shire of Denmark and City of Albany.

Water Corporation Great Southern Regional Manager Adrian Stewart said water levels within the inlet had exceeded the minimum level required for the opening of the sandbar.

“As water levels have been rising in the area following recent rainfall, we have reached the trigger point to activate the opening of the inlet,” Mr Stewart said.

“We anticipate this to happen on Wednesday (25 September) sometime between 10am and 12noon, with an excavator expected onsite from Monday (23 September) in preparation.” 

Mr Stewart said the sandbar opening usually attracted community interest and precautions would be taken to ensure public safety.

“We also want to remind surfers to be mindful of the potential for changeable conditions in the area due to the increased exchange of water between Wilson Inlet and the ocean,” he said.

Mr Stewart said opening the sandbar helped manage potential flooding in the area and environmental values within the inlet. The Shire of Denmark, DWER and the City of Albany consulted with Water Corporation to determine the best timing and location of the opening based on the bar opening protocol which was revised by the Wilson Inlet Sandbar Protocol Working Group in 2022/23.

Fact File:

• The sandbar opening is governed by the Wilson Inlet Sandbar Opening Protocol as revised in 2022-23. 

• Usually, the opening takes place when inlet levels reach a minimum level of between 0.9m and 1.2m, between June and September.

Media contact: 
GSR.Communications@watercorporation.com.au

Children take in the action on site.