The Maxwelton Creek Alliance proposes a feasibility study to restore tidal interconnectivity between Whidbey Island's Lower Maxwelton Valley (LMV) and Useless Bay. Once a productive 200-acre pocket estuary, the original estuarine ecosystem was eliminated by construction of a tide gate at the mouth of Maxwelton Creek. Sedimentation and invasive plants have degraded the remnant tide gate pool and now impede flows throughout the lower valley. Lands in the LMV are private, so discussion of alteration of the tide gate, channel alignment/configuration or changes in hydroperiod/salinity requires active participation of affected landowners. The aim is to improve understanding and gain input on the range of feasible future options for increasing flows. The project will proceed in phases starting with data collection to inform hydrodynamic models that will be used to generate scenarios of tidal exchange under various tide gate reconfigurations. Property owners and others will be engaged in discussions (already underway). Modeling scenarios include various diking and tide gate configurations. Project goals include managing sediments, improving tidal exchange of nutrients and organics, and addressing water quality. Improving tidal exchange and conditions within the estuary/tidal lagoon are steps toward restoring ecosystem services formerly provided by the original barrier embayment, once an important salmon feeding and rearing area.