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Why We Monitor

The data we gather are indicators of water quality in Puget Sound and Willapa Bay. These indicators are used to assess the condition of the systems. Environmental conditions impact the entire system, such as living resources like fish and oysters, and their habitat.

History

We have been collecting continuous data in Willapa Bay since 1997 to assess long-term water quality and estuarine circulation.  For several years the program was part of the Olympic Region Harmful Algal Blooms (ORHAB) Program to assess processes that influence toxic algal bloom events. With the advent of the Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS) and the advance of oceanographic technology, the program has become part of an emerging national infrastructure that seeks to meet society’s need for observing, understanding and predicting the ocean.

Data For Models

Moorings can also provide an important source of data for input and verification of models.  Models can be used to predict circulation and to aid in understanding ecological processes of water systems, and for forecasting future situations.