Wilson Inlet
Physical
| Ocean opening | Seasonally open (artificial) |
| Estuary surface area | 48 km² |
| Catchment area | 2300 km² |
| Catchment: estuary ratio | 48 |
| Mean annual rainfall | ~765 mm/yr |
| Mean annual discharge | 157 GL/year |
| Catchment cleared | 60% |
Socio-economic
| City/town | Denmark |
| Population | 2300 |
| Population growth rate | 2.4% pa |
| People per estuary area | 48 |
| Shipping trade | none |
| Commercial fishing | ~12 licences |
| Recreation/tourism | Boating, fishing, bird watching |
The scenic Wilson Inlet is known for its natural beauty, diverse birdlife and opportunities for recreational activities, such as fishing and boating.
Concerns about water levels and nutrients entering Wilson Inlet in the 1990s led to a targeted action plan and strategies for opening the sandbar. Reduced river flows, a drying climate and seasonal changes has resulted in work to review the sandbar opening framework in dry years.
For Wilson Inlet, Healthy Estuaries WA is:
- Supporting the Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee in the joint delivery of on-ground action and long term management strategies to care for Wilson Inlet.
- Reducing the nutrient runoff from farms while supporting farm productivity in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, farmers and local groups.
- Work with local groups to restore stream function, move stock away from waterways and improve water quality by implementing river action plans.