Turners Bay Pocket Estuary Restoration
Turners Bay lagoon, located at the northeast end of Similk Bay, in the Whidbey Basin of Puget Sound, is one of 12 pocket estuaries identified as high priority restoration sites in the Skagit Chinook Recovery Plan (SRSC and WDFW 2005), which has been incorporated into the Puget Sound Shared Strategy. Prioritization for these sites was based upon proximity to the Skagit River delta, size of restorable habitat, and likelihood of successful restoration. Data collected in the Whidbey Basin indicate that juvenile salmon displaced from Skagit River delta habitat as a result of high population densities or flood events could reach these sites in as little as five or six hours.
The Turners Bay restoration site is located just south of S.R. 20, near Anacortes, WA.
The Turners Bay Lagoon Restoration Project will enhance fish access and restore tidal inundation to marsh surfaces within a 59.4 acre tidal channel lagoon and marsh complex. Currently, upper portions of the salt marsh receive muted tidal volumes and fish access is severely limited due to a road crossing (Similk Bay Road) and a non-functioning tide gate (see site map). Restoration alternatives that will allow increased tidal inundation and fish access to upper marsh surfaces are currently being evaluated. In addition, plans are currently being developed to remove remnant creosote-treated wood that is present on the site. The final restoration design will be selected based on careful consideration of benefits to fish as well as the concerns of local landowners, businesses, and utilities.
Similk Bay road bisects the salt marsh and prevents full tidal inundation to the upper marsh surfaces.
Project Status/Timeline
Funding for project design and construction has been acquired. Restoration design alternatives are currently being evaluated for this project.
Primary Project Contact
Eric Mickelson
Funding Sources
Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB)
Project Partners
Skagit County
Culbertson Marine
Supporting Documents
Beamer, EM, R Henderson, K Wolf. 2007. Juvenile salmon and nearshore fish use in shoreline and lagoon habitat associated with Turners Bay, 2003-2006.