Template:IPU 157

Nearshore Strategies Data Report

Cereghino et al 2012 describes a sound-wide analysis to identify and describe coastal inlet sites in Puget Sounds as part of a nearshore ecosystem restoration strategy (using remote sensing data c. 2000-2006). The following narrative was developed to support distribution and use of analysis results:

Coastal Inlet Site 157, also known as Union River Estuary, is one of 23 coastal inlets identified in the Hood Canal Sub-basin. This embayment had a historic length of 14041 meters, with 670.2 acres of vegetated wetland, receiving flows from a 73.2 square km watershed. Based on these metrics, it ranks 1 out of 23 in its subbasin, and scores 99 out of 100 point in terms of size and complexity among all Puget Sound Coastal Inlets. The PSNERP Strategy Analysis assigned this site to group P9, a group of seven exceptionally large and complex coastal inlet wetland complexes.Over five generations of coastal inlet development, mapping suggests this embayment may have lost 53% of its historical embayment shoreline length, and 32% of current shoreline has evidence of tidal flow degradation. An estimated 21% of the nearshore zone, and 12% of the contributing watershed has impervious surfaces greater than 10%. Based on these metrics, this site ranks 1 out of 23 in its sub-basin, and scores 85 out of 100 points among all Puget Sound coastal inlets, in terms of the intensity and complexity of degradation. The PSNERP Strategy Analysis assigned this site to group D6, a small group of 13 sites, with evidence of lost length, and substantial shoreline modiication along with above average development in the nearshore and watershed. Based on this assignement, the site is recommended for a management approach focussed on cautiously and strategically enhancing those ecosystem functions necessary to protect and restore the most valuable ecosystem services.