Water Corporation moves to open Wilson Inlet sandbar

Wilson Inlet sandbar opening in 2020.

Water Corporation will open the Wilson Inlet sandbar in Denmark on Thursday 29 June 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 minimum level required for the opening of the sandbar.

“As water levels have been rapidly 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 Thursday sometime between 9am and 11am, with an excavator onsite from Tuesday 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 the Shire of Denmark, DWER and the City of Albany worked together to advise Water Corporation of the best time.

Fact File:

• The sandbar opening is governed by the Wilson Inlet Sandbar Opening Protocol. Water in the inlet must reach a minimum level before an opening is triggered.

• Usually, the opening takes place when inlet levels reach a minimum level, between June and the end of the first week in September.

Media contact:
Grace Davies
(08) 9420 3812
Grace.Davies@watercorporation.com.au