So I went down to Augusta last week with some concerns about how much area would be kiteable after the man made cut was clearly there to stay and was changing the current movements last time I was down that way. There's about one third area left of what there was a couple of years ago when the natural mouth was still open. I think it'll be not worth the effort in summer as it'll be super packed. There was about 10 Kites out when I was there last week and it felt crowded. The only area left is the really gusty bit near the man made mouth where thee dunes are higher. Also the good section down the end is full of algae, filling up with sand and not kiteable. It seems like it may all just slowly fill up with sand or algae in the long run. A big middle finger up to whoever had the bright idea of pushing for that man made cut as you've ruined one of the best flatwater spots in this neck of the woods and wa in general. Plus the flow on of $ from kiters coming into and out of the town. Spewing:(
Yeah, it is interesting to read some of the below reports as to the reason for the opening of the new river mouth (two attempts in 2 years). Very polar as to the actual benefits/cost of opening the new mouth.
At the end of the day, kiting was not a consideration and it came down to the "potential" benefits to the health of the Blackwood River and fish stocks.
If you are familiar with the situation, for many years the river mouth has been progressing in an easterly direction and in fact the "original" location of the river mouth was where it is now located. It is now interesting to see the sand banks that are forming just inside the river mouth and the new form that this part of the river is taking on.
It has impacted obviously on the quality of the surf at Jays beach as well.
Who knows what will happen to the mouth now, it seems very rocky through the new mouth and looks very permanent at the moment. It may however continue to morph and head east again. 
At the end of the day there is now little that can be done and I wonder if all of that area heading east and into Swan lake will dry up?
Stewart you will now just have to make the most of surf side of the river which is still great fun!!
the mouth is already heading east again at a rapid rate from last summer to this one. give it a decade or so and it will be halfway to where it was before it was relocated at this rate but probably double that till its a great flat water spot again (assuming they dont just start redredging annually)
total cluster**** of mismanagement if you ask me - fishos trump birdlife and everything else.
Doubt ill be dropping my coin in the local businesses there as much this summer as last and im only 40ks away but kiting isnt their target market is it.
Could draw another similar analogy and compare it to The Pond....huge dollars being thrown at it though. Looks like the Blackwood River cut only cost $30 000
Select to expand quoteStewart25 said..
Plus the flow on of $ from kiters coming into and out of the town. Spewing:(
how much lost revenue do you actually think augusta will see from a few kiters now not going there ?
I'd say about none to eff all
It's more about the loss of flatwater. I know I only go down there for that with the family camp go to the pub get groceries etc. I'm guessing I'm not the only Kiter that does that. Anyhow Augustas loss. Will have to go elsewhere.
True water lovers don't put their personal pleasure above Mother Nature , go the wake park
Mick it was Mother Nature and the natural progression of the river mouth South East that created the perfect flat water kiting spot.
Mother Nature knows best. They should of dredged the natural channel rather than creating a new cut.
The whole thing is a disgrace. It makes me furious. I like the ocean side better most of the time anyway, but I still enjoyed a bit of the inside every now and then. There was substantial flow at the eastern end. It will return there eventually. Shifting the mouth by 800m is never going to combat the upstream effects of fertilizer run off and farming from 50km away!.. Augusta has lost kilometers of accessible shore for walking and fishing, both inside and out. I can see why the old boys came to blows arguing on the sand over this before it was done. The water clarity and tidal flow has improved slightly up past the town jetty and the yacht club admittedly, but at what cost? It has created a stagnant algae filled lake right in front of the town. Kiters do bring plenty of revenue to Augusta. it's a one stop shop for food and fuel and alcohol.. everyone of us spends some money when we go there.. and when that south Easter blows.. lots of us go!... I grew up diving and fishing there mainly, however the wind became to much and I started kiting 7 years ago and just can't stop. The place is destroyed now for flatwater kiting. It'll return in time, but even if I wasn't a kiter, like many who opposed the channel aren't, I would still be wild about this short sighted ugly decision. The bank that separates the river from the sea has grown too high and wide anyway.. it was always gonna get gustier. But that magic bit up the eastern end where the dunes were low is gone.. too shallow and full of algae. The south east wind blows for weeks on end down there in the lead up too Christmas as high cells move into the bight, the only thing you can do is kite!! Just not in the river anymore. RIP Augusta flatwater... knobs! ??
