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Water Quality Improvement Projects (TMDLs) >
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Oakland Bay Area Fecal Coliform and Temperature Projects
Water Quality Improvement Projects
Oakland Bay Area:
Fecal Coliform and Temperature
Introduction
Oakland Bay and Hammersley Inlet are located in Mason County, Washington.
Together they form a long backwards hook that extends westward from Puget Sound.
The city of Shelton is located at the elbow of the hook.
Oakland
Bay is one of the most important commercial shellfish areas in the country,
producing over three million pounds of manila clams a year. It is also an
important harvest area for the Squaxin Tribe.
Oakland Bay and Hammersley Inlet are typical of the narrow, shallow
embayments that characterize South Puget Sound. While highly productive areas
for shellfish and salmonids, low flushing rates also make these areas very
sensitive to human impacts. For over one hundred years Oakland Bay’s protected
waters have made it an ideal port for the city of Shelton, which bases its
economy upon the lumber and pulp mills that dominate the waterfront. Shelton operates a domestic wastewater treatment plant that discharges treated
sewage near the “elbow” that joins Hammersley Inlet and Oakland Bay.
Land use is primarily commercial forest, with a much smaller percentage
dedicated to residential development and agriculture. Shorelines of both the
marine area and the lakes in the watershed are heavily developed. Agricultural
lands are dominated by small hobby farms.
Water quality issues
Areas of Oakland Bay and Hammersley Inlet fail to meet state
water quality standards for fecal
coliform bacteria. In many marine waters, water quality standards for bacteria
are set to protect shellfish harvest. Protecting the significant commercial and
tribal shellfish harvest in Oakland Bay was an important consideration in
beginning this water cleanup process.
Several tributaries to Oakland Bay and Hammersley Inlet also have bacteria
problems. In fresh water, too much bacteria can pose a health risk to people
swimming, fishing, or playing in the water. Bacteria can get into our waters
from untreated or partially treated discharges from wastewater treatment
plants, from improperly functioning septic systems, and from livestock, pets
and wildlife. Contaminated tributaries also
contribute to bacteria concentrations in Oakland Bay and Hammersley Inlet.
Campbell, Uncle John’s, Malaney, Shelton, and Goldsborough Creeks all have
bacteria concentrations that need to be reduced.
In addition to the bacteria problems in the watershed, Mill, Cranberry, and
John Creeks are too warm. Chum, Coho, and Chinook salmon, as well as steelhead use
these creeks. Because cooler water can hold more dissolved oxygen that fish and
other aquatic life need to breathe, cool water is important to support beneficial uses of these
creeks, including fish and shellfish rearing, spawning and harvesting, and
wildlife habitat.
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Last updated
August 2011
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PROJECT INFO
Location:
WRIA: #14 (Kennedy-Goldsborough)
County: Mason
Water-body Names:
Oakland Bay
Hammersley Inlet
Parameters:
Fecal coliform
Temperature
# of TMDLs:
Fecal coliform - 8
Status:
Fecal coliform TMDL approved by EPA.
Contact Info:
Lydia Wagner
Phone: 360-407-6329
Email: Lydia.Wagner@ecy.wa.gov
Southwest Region
Department of Ecology
Water
Quality Program
P.O. Box 47775
Olympia, WA 98504 -7775Anise Ahmed
Phone: 360-407-66767
Email: Anise.Ahmed@ecy.wa.gov
Environmental Assessment Program
Department of Ecology
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504 -7600 |