Aerial Videos

+ Site Overviews

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Ross Creek / Old Mill Pond / Nick’s Lagoon

Chico Creek / Strawberry Creek / Gamble Creek Gamble Bay

Take a closer look at hard-to-access Kitsap Umbrella Mitigation Bank site features through aerial photos and videos.

Site: UPPER ROSS CREEK

 

Sites: GORST CREEK WATERSHED

+ OLD MILL POND

OLD MILL POND

 

Site: WRIGHT CREEK

Wright Creek drains into Sinclair Inlet and is less than one mile, as the fish swims, from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

  • The Wright Creek system has seen nearly two centuries of degradation and human impacts from the headwaters to the mouth.

  • The creek estuary was partially filled during the mid-20th century and structures have been erected over time. The estuary fill area is still threatened by additional human impact and could be developed again if restoration efforts do not move forward soon. Removing the fill dirt and existing structures on fill, regrading and revegetating the estuary would substantially improve the functions of the estuary, including fish and wildlife habitat.

  • The creek has an unacceptable amount of trash and debris in and around it. There is a legacy of dump sites on or adjacent to the estuary and stream that should be removed to restore the health of the creek.

  • There is a substantial amount of English ivy along the creek that will be killing trees for decades if left unchallenged.

 

Site: CHICO CREEK

Restore stream channel from current channelized state to natural meandering flow and realign with new WSDOT SR3 culvert replacement.

  • Enhance wetland function of neighboring borrow pond and improve connectivity to Chico Creek for additional off-channel rearing opportunities.

  • Connect historic U-Fish trout ponds with a stream system to enhance off-channel rearing opportunities.

  • Replant areas with native wetland vegetation.

  • Address connectivity of northwestern tributary to mainstream channel at SR3 if necessary.

 

Site: NICK’S LAGOON, SEABECK

 

Site: STRAWBERRY CREEK

Strawberry Creek drains into Dyes Inlet which boasts multiple salmon runs and the occasional visit by pods of Orca. Adding the Strawberry Creek project to other efforts at Chico Creek and Clear Creek will improve the overall health of this unique branch of the Puget Sound.

  • Strawberry Creek has no substantial estuary. However, reclaiming and restoring the commercial and school district lands near to the mouth will provide significant habitat for fish and other wildlife in addition to enhancing the water quality of Dyes Inlet.

  • WMP has already formed partnerships with the school district, and the county in order to make the restoration of lower Strawberry Creek possible.

  • The middle waters, though not as developed as the lower reach of Strawberry, is in need of an ecological helping hand by way of invasive species removal and the stabilization of the soils.

  • The head waters of Strawberry Creek have provide critical water quality and temperature protection that support and protect the downstream habitat and eventually Dyes Inlet and should be preserved and enhanced.

 

Site: GAMBLE CREEK

 

Site: PORT GAMBLE BAY

Gamble Bay has suffered due to the man-made jetty. Removal of the jetty and fill would significantly rehabilitate Gamble Bay.

  • Although The Mill has been decommissioned and the site has been cleaned, there is still much work that would improve the ecological functioning of the area.

  • Removal of the jetty would allow sediment and nutrient blooms to flow naturally. Currently the jetty blocks the flow of vital nutrients into the bay to the detriment of the aquatic flora and fauna.

  • Additionally many cubic yards of fill removal would further restore the natural footprint.

  • Establishment of salt marshes and a softening of the shoreline would give the old Port Gamble Mill Site even more environmental uplift.

  • WMP is collaborating with the S’Klallam Tribe, Anchor QEA, and Raydient Places for the mill site restoration