Oceanography
The tidal range in King George Sound (including Princess Royal Harbour and Oyster Harbour) is 0.4 metres (1 ft) with spring tidal range of 1.1 metres (4 ft). Tidal levels can remain static for periods of time. Semi-diurnal tides are frequent and diurnal tides are occasional.
The temperature of the water in the sound is slightly different to that of the open sea.
| Location | Mean Summer Temp (°C) | Mean Winter Temp (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Open Sea | 20.1 | 17.3 |
| King George Sound | 20.5 | 13.6 |
The salinity level within the Sound remains relatively constant ranging between 34.8 to 35.5 '‰', the lower levels occurring during heavy winter rain events when large volumes of freshwater enter the sound from the King and Kalgan rivers.
The Leeuwin Current exerts some influence in the sound as it flows eastwards along the continental shelf in the main part of the sound.
Read more about this topic: King George Sound