Bowman Bay Shore Armor Removal

 The Story of Bowman Bay

This beach on the southernmost tip of Fidalgo Island has a long history of work by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and 1940s. It was armored in 1947 to protect a fish hatchery and marine biology station operated by the Washington Department of Fisheries (now Department of Fish and Wildlife). In 2006, the armor was damaged in a storm and was repaired in early 2011. The bulkhead consisted of approximately 2,050 tons of armor stone and quarry spall that interrupted shoreline processes and disrupted potential habitat for fish such as surf smelt and juvenile salmon. 

Working with Washington State Parks, the Skagit County Marine Resources Committee, and Coastal Geologic Services, a plan was developed to restore natural processes across the shoreline, creating a viable habitat for juvenile salmon and forage fish spawning. The project removed 540 linear feet of rock armoring, regraded the beach to create a natural contour, added beach nourishment material suitable for forage fish spawning, and substantially enhanced riparian vegetation. 

Pre- and post-construction monitoring has been performed by Salish Sea Steward citizen scientists, Skagit MRC, UW, and WDFW since 2014 to determine what changes in habitat and habitat usage have occurred. Monitoring parameters include forage fish spawning surveys, nearshore fish use, large woody debris and wrack accumulation, sediment composition, elevation surveys, insect fallout, and surface epifauna and algae surveys.

Coming soon at Bowman Bay: Washington State Parks has plans underway to remove the dilapidated boat ramp and additional armor that surfaced during a November 2023 storm. The old creosote-treated pier that supported hatchery operations will also be removed. Our partners at SKAGIT FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT GROUP are also investigating the feasibility of removing the remnants of the foot bridge and concrete while protecting the freshwater wetlands that lie landward of the trail.

BEFORE                                                  AFTER         

Get Involved 

The Salish Sea Alliance continues to steward the Bowman Bay restoration project, watering, weeding, and planting as needed to help native vegetation thrive. These efforts strengthen critical connections between nearshore and backshore habitats and create meaningful opportunities for community members to protect native ecosystems during our volunteer stewardship days. Visit our EVENTS PAGE to learn how you can get involved!

FUNDERS: Project funding was provided by: Puget Sound Marine & Nearshore Grant Program, US EPA, WDFW’s Estuary Salmon Restoration Program, Northwest Straits Commission/Skagit MRC, Puget Sound Partnership, and the Alcoa Foundation. Additional in-kind support was provided by Washington Department of Natural Resources’ Puget Sound Corps. 

On-going support for stewardship at Bowman Bay has been provided by the Skagit County Marine Resources Committee (NOAA), HF Sinclair, Horizon Foundation, Hugh & Jane Ferguson, Sustainable Path, and the Rose Foundation.