SAMISH BAY. The Samish Bay Delta has been constrained by dikes to support agricultural activity and flood control. Dikes exist along the lower 5.5 miles of the Samish River including the estuary (tidal influence extends to about RM 4). The diking has isolated former salmonid habitat. The primary shoreline modifications are riprap followed by landfill (dikes). Drainage and stormwater discharge is passed to Samish Bay via tidegates and pumps. Contaminated sediments also occur within the bay. Two of three sites sampled in Samish Bay had either elevated phenols or failed bioassay tests. Eelgrass beds are known to occur in Samish Bay, but some of those beds are routinely plowed for Pacific oyster cultivation.
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Samples: wdfw.wa.gov, salishsearestoration.org, salishsearestoration.org
