Taylor Inlet facts for kids
Taylor Inlet is a special water body located in the Great Southern part of Western Australia. It's like a small arm of the ocean that reaches inland, found near Nanarup Beach. This beautiful inlet is about 23 kilometers (14 miles) east of Albany and is protected within the Taylor Inlet nature reserve.
Taylor Inlet is a type of estuary, which is where fresh water from rivers mixes with salty ocean water. This particular inlet is often shaped by ocean waves. The land around it, called the catchment area, has been changed a lot by people clearing trees and plants. This has led to more salty water flowing into the inlet. The inlet itself covers about 1.2 square kilometers (300 acres), and the land that drains into it is about 10 square kilometers (3.9 square miles).
How Taylor Inlet Works
The inlet is usually separated from the big Southern Ocean by a natural sand bar. This sand bar acts like a gate! It typically opens up only once or twice a year, usually between September and January, and stays open for a few weeks. When it opens, water can flow in and out, connecting the inlet to the ocean.
Shape and Size
Taylor Inlet has a unique shape, a bit like a kidney bean, and it runs almost parallel to the coastline. The main channel of the inlet is about 300 meters (980 feet) long and 100 meters (330 feet) wide.
Plants and Wildlife
The areas around Taylor Inlet are home to many interesting plants. Close to the water, you can find plants like Melaleuca cuticularis, Juncus kraussii, Samolus repens, Gahnia trifida, and Baumea juncea. These plants are important because they help stabilize the soil and provide homes for small creatures.
Dune Plants
On the sand dunes surrounding the inlet, you might spot other types of plants. These include Sand spinifex, which helps hold the sand in place, Sword sedge, berry saltbush, pigface, and peppermint trees. These plants are adapted to living in sandy, coastal environments.
