Samish Delta
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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 Samish Delta in the San Juan Sub-basin historically contained 3,735 acres of vegetated wetland along a 29 km shoreline. The delta receives flow from a 35,653 square kilometer watershed. These characteristics make this system the 6th largest delta out of 16 systems in Puget Sound.
- Simenstad et al 2011 found that this system had lost 97% of its vegetated tidal wetlands, and 58% of its shoreline length. Of the remaining shoreline, 66% shows some evidence of infrastructure development. In the surrounding uplands, 15% of land is estimated to have greater than 10% impervious surface. Across the watershed, 34% of land is estimated to have greater than 10% impervious surface. Based on these paramters, the site was given a degradation score of 51 out of 100, making it the 6th most degraded delta in Puget Sound. It faces a medium risk of future development locally, and a high risk of development across the watershed. Approximately 2% of the watershed is currently impounded behind dams.
Notes
- Two projects in Habitat Work Schedule:
- McElroy Slough is a SRT at the northern edge of the delta.
- Friestad Lake involves the restoration of a barrier lagoon on Samish Island.
- WDFW has recently bought land both near the mouth of the Samish River and along Padilla bay.
- There is an increase in private hunting clubs located along the Samish Delta.
- WDFW Map of recreational shellfishing] in the area.
- WDOEs Samish Fecal TMDL webpage
- TMDL Fecal Findings for the Samish
- TMDL Implementation Plan for the Samish
- Edison Slough has been retrofitted with a SRT.
