Fall Weather and Rains Bring Fresh Water to Puget Sound

11/15/2022

Fresh-water is not necessarily a good thing. Although this time of year is usually excellent for underwater exploration, until the weather gets so bad it becomes very difficult to enter and exit the water.The viz is declining every week from all the rains. As fresh-water infuses with salt water it becomes a little cloudy. The fresh-water runoff also carries pollutants and toxins from our streets, highways, and yards into the Sound and Salish Sea. I'm sure our delicate wildlife do not enjoy the taste of motor oil and heavy metals. Something to think about.
Populations of many animals is looking very good. Schools of Perch, Tubesnout and Herring still present. Depending on where I am, I will find different nudibranch species. Alki is home to many Diamondback and Striped, not so much in other areas. Food source is the main reason. First time I personally have spotted so many Cryptic Kelp Crabs. They seemed to be everywhere. In Elliot Bay, I spotted quite a few Kelp Greenlings, big ones. This seems to be a recent trend. I've typically found few if any in this part of the Sound. Curious why that is.
Will be out next week with another report on our amazing wildlife and the conditions of Puget Sound Underwater.