Water Quality Improvement Projects (TMDLs) > WRIA 14 > 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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