Puget Sound Nearshore Subwatershed Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 9

Why is the Nearshore Subwatershed Important to Salmon?

The Puget Sound nearshore -- where land and marine waters meet -- is a dynamic and interdependent ribbon of life for many plants and creatures. Salmon depend on the nearshore for food and shelter and their health here reflects the overall health of the nearshore ecosystem.

Subwatershed Salmon Habitat Overview

The nearshore is the boundary between saltwater and land that stretches from beach bluffs out into the shallows of Puget Sound. This subwatershed also includes the small streams that drain directly into Puget Sound from West Seattle south to Federal Way. All of Vashon-Maury Island -- uplands, streams, and beaches and bluffs -- also are included.

The map at left shows the Nearshore subwatershed. Click here for a map showing this subwatershed in relation to the rest of the watershed.

It is estimated that marine riparian (shoreline) vegetation exists along only 11% of the WRIA 9 watershed shoreline on the mainland. This loss of habitat affects not only salmon produced in the Green/Duwamish Rivers and other local stream but also those produced in other Puget Sound watersheds that use our shorelines for support during migration.

Where the Fish Are in the
Nearshore Subwatershed

Fish distribution maps show where anadromous salmon and trout have been found or should be present. These maps were created in 2000.

More recent data on fish presence in these streams is available for:

• Vashon/Maury Island (completed June 2001)
• Nearshore Mainland from West Seattle to Federal Way including Salmon, Miller/Walker, Des Moines, McSorley, Joe's Creek and others (completed March 2004)

Problems on Streams and the Nearshore

• Urban and industrial land use practices that are:
  
  • Creating fish passage barriers;
    
  • Reducing the amount of large woody debris and channel complexity;
    
  • Causing chronic water quality problems; and
    
  • Simplifying the remaining channel and severely reducing streamside ("riparian") functions such as shade and insect input.

Recent Habitat Information

Additional information on nearshore habitat along the Puget Sound is available in:

• Prioritization of Marine Shorelines of WRIA 9 for Juvenile Salmonid Habitat Protection and Restoration (May 2006)
• Inventory and Assessment of Current and Historic Beach Feeding Sources/ Erosion and Accretion Areas for the Marine Shorelines (December 2005)
• Juvenile Salmonid Composition, Timing, Distribution, and Diet in Marine Nearshore Waters of Central Puget Sound in 2001-2002 (September 2004)
• Marine Shoreline Inventory Report (March 2004)

Recent water quality data are available at the King County Water Quality Data page.

See also water quality data from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Project Solutions to These Problems

• Seahurst Bulkhead/Seawall Replacement Study in Burien
• Seahurst Park Bulkhead/Seawall Removal and Beach Restoration Construction
• Habitat Inventory and Utilization Assessment of the Lower Green, Duwamish, and Nearshore Subwatersheds
• Piner Point Acquisition on Maury Island
• Ellis Creek Pocket Estuary Acquisition and Restoration on Vashon Island
• Beaconsfield-on-the Sound Restoration Feasibility Study in Normandy Park
• Beaconsfield-on-the Sound Restoration Design in Normandy Park

Other planned projects in this subwatershed can be located using the WRIA 9 Interactive Work Schedule and Project Portfolio.

Local Governments in the Nearshore Subwatershed

Other Organizations/Efforts in the Nearshore Subwatershed

• Puget Sound Partnership
  In 2005, Washington Governor Chris Gregoire tapped some of the region’s leading citizens from the private, nonprofit and public sectors serve on the Puget Sound Partnership. This effort resulted in the creation of new state agency, also called the Puget Sound Partnership, which began work on July 1, 2007. The new state agency replaces the Puget Sound Action Team and the Shared Strategy for Puget Sound.
• Shared Strategy for Puget Sound (Puget Sound Salmon Forum)
  The Shared Strategy is a collaborative effort to protect and restore salmon runs across Puget Sound. Shared Strategy is engaging local citizens, tribes, technical experts and policy makers in an effort to build a practical, cost-effective recovery plan that will be endorsed by the people living and working in the watersheds of Puget Sound. Shared Strategy will become part of the new Puget Sound Partnership in January 2008.
• Alliance for Puget Sound Shorelines
  Begun in 2006, this is a partnership of People For Puget Sound, the Trust for Public Land, and the Nature Conservancy. Its goal is to create 10 new waterfront parks or natural areas, restore 100 miles of shoreline through on-the-ground restoration, and protect 1,000 miles of shoreline over the next ten years.
• Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project
  The purpose of the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project is to identify significant ecosystem problems in Washington State's Puget Sound Basin, evaluate potential solutions and restore and preserve critical nearshore habitat. The project is a cooperative effort among government organizations, tribes, industries and environmental organizations to preserve and restore the health of the Sound's nearshore.
• King Conservation District
  Since 1949, the KCD has been helping the people of King County manage their natural resources by educating landowners, schools groups, scientists, consultants and agencies in recognizing problem situations and avoiding the creation of them. KCD also provides technical assistance in solving problems.
• Port of Seattle
  The Port of Seattle manages large areas of the waterfront on Elliott Bay and the Duwamish. The natural areas of these properties are managed to provide fish and wildlife habitat as well as public access to water. In addition, piers and other shoreline facilities are designed and operated to minimize harmful impacts to salmon and other aquatic resources.
• People For Puget Sound
  People for Puget Sound is a non-profit citizens group dedicated to educating and involving people in protecting and restoring the land and waters of Puget Sound and the Northwest Straits. It has done work on both the mainland and Vashon/Maury Island nearshore.
• Puget Soundkeeper Alliance
  Puget Soundkeeper Alliance was created in 1984 as a coalition of citizens and organizations concerned about the health of Puget Sound.
• Friends of Fauntleroy Creek
  Fauntleroy Creek in West Seattle is home to coho salmon. An active group of local citizens are protecting and restoring the creek. A Watershed Council was created in 2001 to help guide these efforts.
• Longfellow Creek Community Web site
  This Seattle Public Utilities sponsored web site provides educational resources, information on events and projects, and other creek and community specific information.
• Roxhill Park Wetlands Restoration Project
  Roxhill bog is located in the headwaters of Longfellow Creek. An active group of citizens is restoring this resource for the benefit of the community and the health of the Longfellow Creek basin.
• Environmental Science Center at Seahurst Park in Burien
  The environmental science center focuses on informing and educating the Highline community about aquatic and terrestrial ecology in Seahurst Park and the beyond. Educational programs are available for schools and members of the general public.
• Normandy Park Community Club: Miller/Walker Stream and Wetland Restoration Stewards of the Cove
  Members of the Normandy Park Community Club are restoring Miller/Walker Creek for the benefit of salmon and bird and wildlife.
• Friends of Des Moines Creek
  This City of Des Moines web site provides contact information for a group of concerned citizens devoted to stewardship of Des Moines Creek.
• Marine Science and Technology Center in Redondo - Highline Community College
  The Science and Technology Center is located on the Redondo waterfront in Des Moines. It is the centerpiece for marine science programs at Highline Community College as well as an educational center for south county nearshore communities. In addition to classes, the center offers various educational programs and opportunities to observe and touch nearshore marine life.
• Federal Way Stream Teams
  This City of Federal Way site provides information on joining a stream team for Joe's, Lakota, and other streams in the city. The page also includes information resources and contacts for city residents who want to protect water quality, stream habitat, and the Puget Sound nearshore.
• Miller/Walker Basin Stewardship
  The Cities of Burien, SeaTac, and Normandy Park; the Port of Seattle, and King County jointly fund stewardship of the Miller/Walker Creek basins in the Highline area. The basin steward for Miller/Walker Creeks is Dennis Clark , 206-296-1909.
• King County Basin Stewards
  The King County Water and Land Resources Division has Basin Stewards for specific basins. These stewards:
  
  • Respond to citizen inquiries concerning issues in their part of the watershed
    
  • Coordinate efforts among various public agencies
    
  • Facilitate watershed improvement projects
    
  • Provide assistance to monitoring programs
    
  • Provide public education opportunities
    
  The basin steward for Vashon/Maury Island uplands and marine nearshore is Lori Larkin, 206-263-7316.
• Vashon Island Salmon Watcher Page
  Interested in watching for salmon on Vashon Island? Check out this page to learn more and volunteer.
• Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust
  It is the mission of the Vashon-Maury Land Trust to conserve lands to protect the natural ecosystems and rural character of Vashon-Maury Island. The Land Trust has help preserve freshwater streams and nearshore habitat in cooperation with island landowners.
• Vashon-Maury Island Aubudon Society
  The group promotes and deepens public awareness of nature and helps protect the ecology of Vashon-Maury Island.

Information Resources for the Nearshore Subwatershed

• Puget Sound Nearshore Environments - King County
  Series of graphics illustrating the nearshore environment, its processes, and problems affecting the nearshore due to development.
• "Our Troubled Sound" Newspaper Series - Seattle Post-Intelligencer
  Series of articles on the environmental stresses facing Puget Sound and its nearshore, with considerable coverage of people and issues in the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed. Published November 2002.
• Reconnaissance Assessment Report on the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed
  Comprehensive information on salmon habitat as of 2000. Includes detailed information on on salmon populations, conditions in specific subwatersheds and stream basins, and maps showing salmon habitat.
• Marine Shoreline Inventory Report
  Summary information of shoreline habitat conditions that affect habitat quality and quantity for juvenile salmonids. Also available upon request are Geographic Information System (GIS) layers with these data. Published March 2004.
• WRIA 9 Project Portfolio Database
  Use an interactive database to identify projects in this part of the watershed.
• State of the Nearshore Ecosystem Report
  Comprehensive information on the nearshore ecosystem in the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed.
• Urban Blueprint for Salmon - City of Seattle
  Information about how Chinook salmon use the nearshore and other parts of Seattle.
• Typing of Nearshore Streams
  Washington Trout (now known as Wild Fish Conservancy) completed stream typing surveys on Vashon/Maury Island in 2001 and the nearshore mainland in 2004.
• Federal Way Streams
  This City of Federal Way site provides information and photos on fish use in Joe's Creek, Lakota Creek, and Dumas Bay.
• Vashon-Maury Island Rapid Rural Reconnaissance
  Completed in 2004, this report is a comprehensive inventory of the island's surface water needs. It lists priority drainage and water quality projects, acquisitions, studies and programs that would all be funded over time by surface water management fees.
• Vashon and Maury Island Rapid Shoreline Inventory - People for Puget Sound
  During 2001, volunteers conducted a shoreline inventory of physical and biological data for Maury Island and Quartermaster Harbor on Vashon. Contact People For Puget Sound for more information.
• Vashon-Maury Island Page - King County
  Information from King County on the marine nearshore, streams, and upland ecologies and management efforts on Vashon-Maury Island.
• Maury Island State Aquatic Reserve
  Information on the first state aquatic reserve designated in Washington State by the Department of Natural Resources.
• Central Puget Sound Watershed Page - King County
  Information about the Central Puget Sound watershed.
• Puget Sound Shoreline Stewardship Guidebook - King County
  Lots of great tips for people who live next to the beaches and bluffs of central Puget Sound.
• Puget Sound Shorelines Page - Washington State Department of Ecology
  This Washington State Department of Ecology web page helps landowners and citizens learn about and protect the shorelines of Puget Sound.
• Digital Coastal Atlas - Washington State Department of Ecology
  Aerial photos of Puget Sound shoreline as well as maps showing various geological and ecological features.
• Environmental Information Page for WRIA 9 - Washington State Department of Ecology
  Includes downloadable publications, maps, and water quality information for Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed (WRIA 9). Limited information is available for the nearshore portion of WRIA 9.
• Surf Your Watershed - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  Site contains links to various U.S. EPA documents related to environmental conditions in the Puget Sound watershed. There are links for environmental parameters such as air quality and hazardous waste in addition to water quality.