The goal of the project is work with local landowners and San Juan County to assess the possibility of restoring the Davis Bay Estuary.

WFC is requesting funds to determine the feasibility of removing the existing tidegate located in Davis Bay/LZ15 and restoring the historical estuary to the extent possible; we are requesting funds to collect and model current elevation and hydrologic data; and assess and collaborate with landowners.

A local rancher indicated that the natural opening to the cove at the mouth of LZ15 (before the road bridge and culvert were installed) was as much as 80 ft. Consequently, what had been a
saltwater marsh upstream of the tide gate is now a large fresh water wetland crisscrossed with drainage ditches which become very warm in the summer. The conversion of this wetland to a naturally functioning saltwater marsh or estuary is highly recommended.

Project identified from Wild Fish Conservancy Stream Typing Study.