Herrera Environmental Consultants (Herrera) has prepared this report to document the results of a functional assessment and historical analysis of Crockett Lake, a large wetland complex managed in part by the National Park Service as part of the Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. Crockett Lake is located on Admiralty Bay on the western shore of central Whidbey Island, adjacent to Fort Casey State Park and the Keystone Harbor ferry terminal. To characterize the ecological health of Crockett Lake, Herrera assessed the geomorphic and ecological state of the lake and how historic alterations have led to current conditions. This study includes two separate but related components, a functional assessment and a historical analysis, both of which involved a thorough examination of historical documentation, as well as two site visits to determine current conditions and collect relevant data. Combined, these two components of the study were intended to identify current and predevelopment physical conditions, as well assess the past, current, and possible future ecological conditions of the Crockett Lake site. Based on the study results, it was found that Crockett Lake is currently a saline lagoon, with managed water levels and some minor, artificial estuarine exchange near its east end. Prior to development, Crockett Lake did not have a regular tidal connection to Admiralty Bay. Rather it was an isolated brackish lagoon, inundated by seawater during extreme events, but dominated by a groundwater-fed freshwater source.
The functional assessment of Crockett Lake focused on the site’s wetlands using a standard hydrogeomorphic functional assessment protocol developed for tidal wetlands (Adamus 2005). The assessment also included the examination of two reference sites, Lake Hancock and Perego’s Lagoon. Comparisons were made between functions provided at Crockett Lake and the two reference site wetlands. In addition, detailed vegetation and elevation information was collected along vegetation sampling transects through the wetlands.