 An exceptionally wet winter in 1862 saw major flooding throughout the area – the effect of which was exacerbated by the extent of the reclaimed lands.The first bucket dredge in Western Australia was the "Black Swan", used between 1872 and 1911 for dredging channels in the river, as well as reclamation.A number of features of the river, particularly around the city, have reshaped its profile since European settlement in 1829