Skookum Inlet Estuary Restoration

South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group (SPSSEG) used this funding to improve nearshore and freshwater habitat along Skookum Inlet. The project removed several tons of concrete beach armoring and pilings. In addition, the project removed an old stream crossing made with creosoted timbers and replaced it with a 30-foot wooden bridge. This allows better fish passage, stream continuity, and tidal inundation. The old crossing had limited tidal exchange. The project also removed a derelict float, a dock, a tide gate, and debris including creosote, timber, concrete, and garbage to restore tidal water to the upstream habitat. Large woody material and native vegetation (about 750 plants) were added to the freshwater stream habitat and a small 2-acre wetland/salt marsh area.

This is an important project because of its proximity to Skookum Creek. Many salmon species rely on these small nearshore/freshwater areas for transition to saltwater (especially Chinook and chum). This project will also improve fresh water access for juvenile and adult salmonids. There has been observed chum spawning in this stream yearly. Typically forage fish, coastal cutthroat, coho, and juvenile Chinook use these areas as refuge.

The goal of the project is to restore estuarine and nearshore conditions and processes in the marine environment. The objective of the project is to restore shoreline habitat diversity and function.