Ediz Hook Restoration Phase IV

Ediz Hook is a sand spit that forms Port Angeles Harbor. The southern shore has been heavily armored and encroached upon by infrastructure. This phase IV project removed armoring, creosote piling and restored a low slope beach and revegetate natural dune grass communities along 300 of shoreline. 2500 cubic yards of sand were imported and used for both beach nourishment and for dunegrass revegetation. The project extends to the west, three previous shoreline restoration efforts (phases 1-3) and when completed will result in the longest contiguous natural shoreline in Port Angeles Harbor. This project was conducted in partnership with the city of Port Angeles and the Olympic Rowing Club. The rowing club currently leases an overwater building on the site. That building was relocated landward which will allowed the shoreline restoration to proceed.

The southern shoreline of Ediz Hook provides important habitat for a number of marine fishes including Pacific salmon, forage fishes and a wide array of other marine species. Removal of shoreline armoring in combination with beach nourishment and revegetation will result in a natural low slope beach. Beaches of this form have abundant sand and gravel substrate and are utilized by forage fishes such as surf smelt for spawning. Smelt are an important food source for Pacific salmon. Monitoring of previous beach restoration efforts on Ediz Hook has documented an increase in forage fish spawning. Removal of non native concrete, boulders and creosote treated wood improves migratory corridors for Pacific salmon and removes pollutants from the area. Restoration of dune grass habitats reduces the run off of sediment and pollutants to Port Angeles Harbor.