Eyes Over Puget Sound, year in review 2021
- 2. Editor: Dr. Christopher Krembs; editorial assistance: Holly Young, Valerie Partridge. Artists corner, p. 3 Art is a way to reflect on Puget Sound’s water quality with different eyes. Aerial photography, p. 10 We hope that our pictures continue to inspire, educate, and motivate our community. Photos sent in by you, p. 5 A wonderful community like you helped us cover the large scope of visible water quality issues in the Puget Sound region. Boundary conditions in 2021, p. 7 The past year was generally warmer and drier than normal and with higher river flows following mainly a wet cloudy fall. Eyes Under Puget Sound, p. 4 A story map is bringing the critters living in the mud of Puget Sound to a wider audience.
- 3. “We will continue to share the beauty of Puget Sound’s waters in the future year. A place worth protecting.”
- 4. Eyes Under Puget Sound – A Year in Review Learn more about our program, including benthic critters and how we identify them on our website 2021 was a busy year for the sediment team, as we resumed our field work in Puget Sound, published a new set of online story maps to bring the benthos to a wider audience, and featured a colorful compilation of critters, from the cute to the downright creepy! Click on the photos below to link to each article. Dany Burgess Marine SedimentTeam
- 5. Thank you for all the wonderful documentation of blooms, spills, macroalgae, and other noteworthy water quality issues that you saw during the year 2021. A special thank you this year to: Tony Melchiors, Mya Keyzers, Mary Jean Ryan, Maria Mason, Kenmore Air Pilot, Josephine Strauss, Jim Baker, Jacquelyn Stenman, Michael Dawson, Hugh Matheson, Grace McKenney, Glenn Briskin, Eryn Craig, Elisa Dawson, Tim Ellis, Alex Pittman, Danita Delimont, Catherine Drews, Alysha Dotson, Mike MacKay, Department of Fish and Wildlife , Scott Steltzner, King County Boat crew, and Julia Bos. We add your observations to EOPS because we believe they matter.
- 6. John Mickett Applied Physics Laboratory University of Washington Nick Bond The Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies (CICOES) University of Washington Beth Curry Applied Physics Laboratory University of Washington Jan Newton Applied Physics Laboratory University of Washington Click here
- 7. All data are from public sources: UW GRAYSKIES; river flows from USGS and Environment Canada; indices from NOAA & UW (PDO). In the anomaly plot, we want to connect different factors influencing water quality in the context of space and time. We do this with a heat map and anomalies by month using selected regions displayed from north to south. Year 2021 was generally warmer than normal and with higher river flows following mainly a wet cloudy fall. Conditions of 2021 in recent context Air temperatures were variable in 2021, but generally summer was warmer and winter was colder than normal. Precipitation was mostly above normal, except in the spring and early summer. Sunshine (opposite of cloud cover) levels followed precipitation. River flows were higher than normal only in the last several months. Upwelling and Downwelling were variable. La Nina is present.
- 8. In the last week of June 2021, an unusual weather pattern over the Pacific Northwest created a record-strong and high air pressure area — known as a "heat dome“. The condition resulted in temperature departures from average between 25°F to 45°F across multiple states and British Columbia and cooked shellfish in the intertidal zone alive by the millions. (Seattle times) Map showing a huge expanse of temperature anomaly northwest North America that was affected by the heatwave at the end of June 2021. (Image: WXCHARTS)
- 9. Flames rise from a burning building during a wildfire in Lytton, British Columbia, June 30, 2021 2 RIVERS REMIX SOCIETY/via REUTERS Karin Bumbaco Office of the Washington State Climatologist
- 10. Pictures in 2021 continue to capture the diversity of phenomena on the surface of the large Puget Sound region. Documenting Puget Sound water from the air allows you to understand processes, impacts, and spatial complexity on a large spatial scale. We hope that our pictures will inspire, educate, and motivate our communities to protect the wonderful place we and many animals call home. Suspended sediment Species aggregations Water quality Physical processes Algal blooms Infrared images Macroalgae and debris
- 11. Suspended sediment near the shoreline in many places around Vashon Island. Location: A. Neil Point, B. near Northeast Vashon Park, C. Piner Point, D. north of Point Beals.
- 12. Suspended sediment near the shoreline extending into Central Sound. Location: West Point (Central Sound), 12:01 PM
- 13. Nooksack River plume carrying lots of brown sediment across the portage. Location: Portage Bay (North Sound), 1:28 PM
- 14. Suspended sediment near the shoreline and tidal eddies. Location: Holmes Harbor (Whidbey Basin), 1:53 PM
- 15. A. Rain and flooded fields carry much sediment into local drainage channels that B. enter Swinomish Channel. Location: La Conner (Swinomish Reservation), 1:23 PM
- 16. here.
- 17. Jellyfish aggregations and early signs of phytoplankton growth. Location: Sinclair Inlet (Central Sound), 2:12 PM
- 18. Department of Fish and Wildlife reports: A-B. Quilcene herring spawning and eggs deposited on macro-algae between C-D. Jackson Cove and Pt Whitney. E. ORCA mooring data. Location: Quilcene Bay (Hood Canal) Adam Lindquist Forage Fish Biologist DFW : “… Quilcene had lots of spawning activity with several miles of white water and many schools of fish right up next to shore. Purdy, POPM, and Portage Bay all had reports of white water and lots of marine mammal activity. If you get a chance, get out there and check it out for yourself!...”
- 19. Jellyfish aggregations and early signs of phytoplankton growth. Location: Oyster Bay, Dyes Inlet (Central Sound), 2:19 PM
- 20. Schools of fish, a bloom, and suspended sediment. Location: Eld Inlet (South Sound), 11:26 AM Sunrise Beach jellyfish fish fish fish fish fish
- 21. A. Milky-white patches and red-brown bloom in Ostrich Bay. B-D. Jellyfish patches in Ostrich and Oyster Bays. Location: Dyes Inlet (Central Sound), 2:08 PM
- 22. Salmon Bay is an urban waterway. On 1/19/2021 large amounts of foam were seen past the Ballard Locks. Location: Salmon Bay, Seattle (Central Sound), 12:01 PM
- 23. Diffuser of the Fairhaven Wastewater treatment plant. Effluent can be seen miles to the south. Location: Fairhaven, Bellingham Bay (North Sound), 12:52 PM
- 24. A. Outfall in Glen Cove surfaces and has B. colder IR signature. C. Bloom and line of bubbles in Western Bay. Location: Port Townsend Bay (North Sound), 1:51 PM
- 25. Sediment shows circulation pattern of sediment-rich water mixing south of Matia Island. Location: Matia Island (San Juan Islands), 1:58 PM
- 26. Bloom along front in Mosquito Bay originating in Horseshoe and Mitchell Bays. Location: San Juan Island (San Juan Islands), 1:24 PM
- 27. A. Colder water entering from Perry Creek. B. Strong brown-orange bloom. Location: Eld Inlet (South Sound), 11:24 AM
- 28. Strong red-brown bloom. Location: Budd Inlet (South Sound), 11:34 AM
- 29. Very red-brown bloom spanning the entire length of Kilisut Harbor, from the entrance of the bay to Scow Bay. Location: Marrowstone Island (Central Sound), 1:50 PM
- 30. Strong brown bloom and organic material accumulating at a distinct front. Location: Shoal Bay (North Sound), 1:12 PM
- 31. Bright-green bloom patches in shallow portions of Liberty Bay. Location: Liberty Bay (Central Sound), 2:02 PM
- 32. Strong red-brown bloom with turquoise water mixing in from Chapman bay. Location: Henderson Inlet (South Sound), 2:30 PM
- 33. Padilla Bay seagrass experiences much cooler temperatures north of the tidal gully. Sediment from south of the gully discolors the water. Location: Padilla Bay (North Sound), 12:35 PM
- 34. A. Large patches of organic surface debris following a bloom. B. Nearby ORCA mooring with coincident data. Location: East of Twanoh State Park (southern Hood Canal), 11:49 AM
- 35. Puyallup River plume with glacial flour, bloom, and orange organic debris (likely Noctiluca) accumulating at front. Location: East of Maury Island (Central Sound), 2:22 PM
- 36. A. Stillaguamish estuary with B. relatively cool tideflat despite sunshine. C. Large rafts of organic material of different color and composition. Location: Port Susan (Whidbey Basin), 12:23 PM
- 37. • 39 stations sampled monthly • 16 physical, chemical, and biogeochemical parameters • Data from 1999 to present https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/eim/search/SMP/MarineAmbientSearch.aspx?StudyMonitoringProgramUserId=MarineAmbient&StudyMonitoringProgramUserIdSearchType=Equals Get your data
- 38. We have published 95 editions! Recommended Citation (example for September 2018 edition): Washington State Department of Ecology. 2018. Eyes Over Puget Sound: Surface Conditions Report, September 17, 2018. Publication No. 18-03-075. Olympia, WA. https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/documents/1803075.pdf. Find all previous Eyes Over Puget Sound editions at the end of this document.
- 39. Access all EOPS reports in Ecology’s biblio system January_7_2022, Publication No. 22-03-070 September_8_2021 Publication No. 21-03-075 June_17_2021 Publication No. 21-03-074 April_1_2021 Publication No. 21-03-073 March_11_2021 Publication No. 21-03-072 February_3_2021 Publication No. 21-03-071 January_14_2021, Publication No. 21-03-070 October_26_2020, Publication No. 20-03-073 September_28_2020, Publication No. 20-03-072 No coverage due to COVID-19 pandemic from April-September March_16_2020, Publication No. 20-03-071 Jan_10_2020, Publication No. 20-03-070 October_30_2019, Publication No. 19-03-076 September_12_2019, Publication No. 19-03-075 July_29_2019 Publication No. 19-03-074 June_4_2019, Publication No. 19-03-073
- 40. March_26_2019, Publication No. 19-03-072 February_21_2019, Publication No. 19-03-071 January_10_2019, Publication No. 19-03-070 November_6_2018, Publication No. 18-03-075 September_17_2018, Publication No. 18-03-074 July_16_2018, Publication No. 18-03-073 June_28_2018, Publication No. 18-03-072 May_22_2018, Publication No. 18-03-025 April_19_2018, Publication No. 18-03-071 Winter_2018, Publication No. 18-03-070 October_31_2017, Publication No. 17-03-073 August_28_2017, Publication No. 17-03-072 July_24_2017, Publication No. 17-03-071 June_6_2017, Publication No. 17-03-070 December_31_2016, Publication No. 16-03-079 November_22_2016, Publication No. 16-03-078 September_26_2016, Publication No. 16-03-077 August_24_2016, Publication No. 16-03-076 July_20_2016, Publication No. 16-03-075 June_27_2016, Publication No. 16-03-074
- 41. May_2_2016, Publication No. 16-03-073 April_6_2016, Publication No. 16-03-072 March_16_2016, Publication No. 16-03-071 February_8_2016, Publication No. 16-03-070 December_30_2015, Publication No. 15-03-080 December_14_2015, Publication No. 15-03-079 October_6_2015, Publication No. 15-03-078 September_21_2015, Publication No. 15-03-077 August_8_2015, Publication No. 15-03-076 July_6_2015, Publication No. 15-03-075 June_8_2015, Publication No. 15-03-074 April_29_2015, Publication No. 15-03-073 March_24_2015, Publication No. 15-03-072 February_17_2015, Publication No. 15-03-071 January_28_2015, Publication No. 15-03-070 December_30_2014, Publication No. 14-03-080 November_17_2014, Publication No. 14-03-079 October_29_2014, Publication No. 14-03-078 September_16_2014, Publication No. 14-03-077 August_18_2014, Publication No. 14-03-076
- 42. July_28_2014, Publication No. 14-03-075 June_23_2014, Publication No. 14-03-074 May_12_2014, Publication No. 14-03-073 April_21_2014, Publication No. 14-03-072 March_24_2014, Publication No. 14-03-071 February_4_2014, Publication No. 14-03-070 December_31_2013, Publication No. 13-03-081 November_21_2013, Publication No. 13-03-080 October_28_2013, Publication No. 13-03-079 September_11_2013, Publication No. 13-03-078 August_21_2013, Publication No. 13-03-077 July_15_2013, Publication No. 13-03-076 June_17_2013, Publication No. 13-03-075 May_20_2013, Publication No. 13-03-074 April_8_2013, Publication No. 13-03-073 Mar_25_2013, Publication No. 13-03-072 February_26_2013, Publication No. 13-03-071 January_15_2013, Publication No. 13-03-070 December_13_2012, Publication No. 12-03-081 November_8_2012, Publication No. 12-03-080
- 43. October_8_2012, Publication No. 12-03-079 September_11_2012, Publication No. 12-03-078 August_27_2012, Publication No. 12-03-077 July_31_2012, Publication No. 12-03-076 June_12_2012, Publication No. 12-03-075 May_14_2012, Publication No. 12-03-074 April_23_2012, Publication No. 12-03-073 March_19_2012, Publication No. 12-03-072 February_27_2012, Publication No. 12-03-071 January_30_2012, Publication No. 12-03-070 December_5_2011, Publication No. 11-03-082 November_15_2011, Publication No. 11-03-081 October_17_2011, Publication No. 11-03-080 September_12_2011, Publication No. 11-03-079 August_8_2011, Publication No. 11-03-078 July_6_2011, Publication No. 11-03-077 June_20_2011, Publication No. 11-03-076 June_6_2011, Publication No. 11-03-075 May_4_2011, Publication No. 11-03-074 April_27_2011, Publication No. 11-03-073