In the Nisqually watershed strategy, restoration of the estuary is the highest priority habitat action. Scientific modeling indicated restoration of the entire estuary will result in a 100% increase in naturally produced Nisqually chinook salmon. The model estimated an increase of the estuary carrying capacity for Nisqually salmon by at least 9% as a result of this project. Further, because the Nisqually River estuary provides a high percentage of estuarine habitats in southern Puget Sound, the restoration project is significant for regional salmon recovery. This project, an 11-acre mitigation project for the construction of Clear Creek Hatchery, was completed in 1996 in an attempt to restore natural estuarine function at what is now known as the Braget Farm. This very successful pilot project inspired completion of several phases of restoration in this reach.