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What We've Found

Strong seasonal trends are apparent in 1997-2007 daily-averaged data from a near-surface mooring near Bay Center in Willapa Bay, WA shown in the figure below.  Warm and salty water dominates in the summer; in the winter, cooler and fresher water shows influence from the rivers extending to the mouth of the bay.  Water temperature variations tend to be greater during summer due to oceanic upwelling events, while salinity variations are largest during the winter due to high river flow.  Source waters (river vs. ocean) and timing of these events can greatly influence the ecology and habitat of oysters, crabs, and other life in the bay.

Average Daily Temperature, Salinity, and Chlorophyll-a at Bay Center station in Willapa Bay, WA 1997-2007