Skagit Delta

From Salish Sea Wiki
Revision as of 21:13, 17 September 2014 by Pcereghino (talk | contribs)


Most Recent Edits
Wiki Rules
  • Wiki text does not reflect the policy or opinion of any agency or organization
  • Please adhere to our social contract
  • Complain here, and be nice.


Link to List of Workgroups Link to List of Topics Link to List of Places

Link to List of Efforts Link to List of Products Link to List of Documents Link to List of Graphics Link to List of Websites

Link to Headwater Sites Link to Lowland Watershed Sites Link to Floodplain Sites Link to Delta Sites Link to Embayment Sites Link to Beach Sites Link to Rocky Headland Sites

Map showing PSNERP Delta Process Unit delineations over extent of historic tidal wetlands

Nearshore Strategies Data Report

Cereghino et al 2012 completed a soundwide analysis to identify and describe river delta sites in Puget Sounds as part of a nearshore ecosystem restoration strategy (using remote sensing data c. 2000-2006). The following narrative of this delta site was developed to support distribution and use of analysis results:

The Skagit Delta in the Whidbey Sub-basin historically contained 19,180 acres of vegetated wetland along a 96 km shoreline. The delta receives flow from a 715,421 square kilometer watershed. These characteristics make this system the largest delta out of 16 systems in Puget Sound.
Simenstad et al 2011 found that this system had lost 74% of its vegetated tidal wetlands, and 45% of its shoreline length. Of the remaining shoreline, 63% shows some evidence of infrastructure development. In the surrounding uplands, 21% of land is estimated to have greater than 10% impervious surface. Across the watershed, 9% of land is estimated to have greater than 10% impervious surface. Based on these paramters, the site was given a degradation score of 38 out of 100, making it the 8th most degraded delta in Puget Sound. It faces a high risk of future development locally, and a low risk of development across the watershed. Approximately 53% of the watershed is currently impounded behind dams.

Efforts and Workgroups

Restoration Actions

Research Investigations

Regulation

Natural History

Description of the extent and character of the sites historic capacity to provide ecosystem functions, goods and services The Skagit Delta's historic wetlands were contiguous with the Stillaguamish Delta and Padilla Bay forming the largest wetland complex in Puget Sound.

Degradation and Risk

Description of the extent and character of anthropogenic degradation of the sites ability to provide ecosystem functions, goods and services Description of factors anticipated to affect future provision of ecosystem functions, goods and services

Documents