The Wilson Inlet sand bar was breached yesterday with the AHD of 1m exceeded last week when low-lying areas around the inlet began to flood. Despite the cold weather and rain, fishers were out in force at Prawn Rock Channel at the weekend as schools gathered in the changing water conditions and increased food availability.

An excavator breaches the sand bar most years, usually between June and September, to preserve the ecology and to protect the wider catchment from flooding.

The Water Corporation, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Shire of Denmark and City of Albany agreed to the timing of the inlet opening last week after the inlet had reached the minimum level of 1.01m AHD. Artificial openings of the inlet have occurred since the 1920s.

Water Corporation Great Southern manager Adrian Stewart said the opening usually attracted community interest and precautions would be taken to ensure public safety.

“We 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.

The sandbar opening is governed by a framework developed by DWER and agreed to by key stakeholders.

This article appeared in Denmark Bulletin, 7 August 2025.