Bowman Bay Nearshore Restoration

Project Period: 2013 - Present

Background:  Bowman Bay is a pocket beach located in the Whidbey Basin at Deception Pass State Park. Hard shoreline armoring was placed along the shoreline prior to the 1970s to protect a former fish hatchery that has since been dismantled. The riprap was impeding sediment transport processes at the site resulting in the coarsening of beach sediment and degradation of nearshore habitat. 

Project Description: The Skagit County Marine Resources Committee partnered with the Northwest Straits Commission, Northwest Straits Foundation, Skagit Conservation District, and Washington State Parks to remove approximately 540 feet (1,600 tons) of armoring from the Bowman Bay shoreline. Construction was completed in November 2015. This project helped restore natural sediment transport processes and improve approximately 0.6 acres of nearshore habitat for forage fish, juvenile salmon and bull trout. The restored resilience to the ecosystem also allows for lateral shifts in seagrass beds in response to sea level rise. In addition to the ecological benefits, removing this armoring improved access to the beach for kayakers and other park visitors. 

Nearshore Habitat Restoration Monitoring:  Trained volunteers conducted pre-construction monitoring to collect baseline data and post-construction monitoring to assess habitat changes. 

Interpretive Signs: 

Two interpretive signs were installed in the fall of 2016 to help educate the public about the value of nearshore habitat and benefits of removing hard shoreline armoring.  

Riparian Planting:  The Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group (SFEG) developed and implemented the riparian planting plan of the upper beach area. The Northwest Straits Foundation continues to maintain the plantings in partnership with the MRC and with the help of volunteers.

CHECK OUT THE BOWMAN BAY RESTORATION VIDEO