The inlet has been adversely impacted since the settlement of South Australia, with stormwater and raw sewage discharge, fishing, landfill rubbish dumping, power generation and other activities adversely affecting its flora and fauna.
The inlet's condition has deteriorated since the beginning of human presence in South Australia, primarily due to the impact of various human-induced stressors such as stormwater pollution, sewage discharge, fishing practices, and improper waste disposal on its delicate ecosystem.