Elwha Watershed Information Resource

A critical component of the Elwha River Watershed, the Elwha nearshore is the area that extends from the treeline on shore out 90 feet (30 meters) to the average height of low tidal events (that is, mean lower low water height). The primary Elwha nearshore includes a 13-mile stretch of shoreline in the central Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Lower Elwha Klallam tribe staff seining in the east estuary. Anne Shaffer, Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

The Elwha nearshore is home to a diversity of marine life, including salmon, rockfish, sculpin, flatfish, marine algae (over 50 species), marbled murrelets, common murres, and Pacific harbor seals. However, over the past ninety years, the Elwha nearshore has been negatively impacted by sediment starvation caused primarily by the two dams on the Elwha River. Once the dams are removed, the nearshore area will benefit from sediment transport and widening of the river delta.

Learn more about the Elwha nearshore area by clicking on the links below:

Nearshore Overview (pre dam removal): A general overview of the nearshore region before the dams are removed.

Nearshore Restoration: Removing the dams will partially restore the nearshore region by adding significant amounts of sediment to the nearshore, but additional restoration projects will also be needed.

Shoreline Monitoring: Researchers will collect information about the nearshore area before and after the dam removal in order to assess health of the area and recognize environmental changes as they occur.