River Kisler, 17, of Chimacum rides his paddleboard underneath the newly constructed Kilisut Harbor Bridge on Monday evening, mere days after water began flowing for the first time through a newly dredged channel between Oak Bay and Kilisut Harbor’s Scow Bay. “It’s so cool to see this finally come to fruition,” Kisler said. (Nicholas Johnson/Peninsula Daily News)

River Kisler, 17, of Chimacum rides his paddleboard underneath the newly constructed Kilisut Harbor Bridge on Monday evening, mere days after water began flowing for the first time through a newly dredged channel between Oak Bay and Kilisut Harbor’s Scow Bay. “It’s so cool to see this finally come to fruition,” Kisler said. (Nicholas Johnson/Peninsula Daily News)

Oak Bay, Kilisut Harbor connected for first time in decades

Bridge between two islands restores tidal passage

MARROWSTONE ISLAND — For the first time in at least six decades, crystal clear water is flowing from Oak Bay into Kilisut Harbor’s Scow Bay, between Marrowstone and Indian islands, thanks in large part to the efforts of the North Olympic Salmon Coalition.

“All weekend, community members paddled back and forth between the two bays, and there is tell of the first circumnavigation of Marrowstone by a local father and son,” the Port Hadlock-based environmental nonprofit wrote in a Monday post on its Facebook page.

Since at least 1958, the channel has been blocked by a buildup of sediment, not to mention state Highway 116 that connects the two islands. Now, that land bridge is history. In its place sits a nearly complete 440-foot concrete girder bridge.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The reconnection of the two long-separated bodies of water represents the culmination of a multi-year effort by the coalition to restore not only a historic migration route for endangered salmon but also the marine ecosystem of Kilisut Harbor, which has suffered from elevated temperatures and stagnant, sediment-filled water.

“The water before construction began was pretty dirty,” said Tina Werner, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman, “and, as of last weekend, the water flowing through is crystal clean.”

The bridge itself remains restricted to one-way alternating traffic. Construction of approaches on either side, plus striping and the addition of signage, is all that remains to be done before the nearly $13 million project is complete — likely in late September — and the scenic stretch of the highway is opened to two-way traffic.

“It will be very exciting for Marrowstone Island travelers to have the bridge fully open once again,” Werner said, noting that, while construction itself has taken a little more than a year, procurement of permits and funding took nearly seven years.

The coalition came up with the lion’s share — nearly $10 million — while the state pitched in $2 million and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe added another $1 million by way of a NOAA Restoration Center grant.

_______

Jefferson County reporter Nicholas Johnson can be reached by email at njohnson@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Shannon Story of Port Angeles, an employee of ACI construction in Tacoma, directs traffic on Water Street in Port Townsend on Wednesday as heavy equipment is jostled around the job site. The company is replacing a 100-year-old sewer pipeline with larger and stronger materials. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Sewer replacement

Shannon Story of Port Angeles, an employee of ACI construction in Tacoma,… Continue reading

Jefferson closer to facilities district

Public hearing could take place March 10

Federal, state cuts could have impact at Clallam Transit

General manager says agency has ‘good reserve’

Three fish passage projects to impact traffic

WSDOT says there will be an 80-day detour

Firefighters extinguish porch fire in Port Angeles

A back porch of a Port Angeles home caught… Continue reading

Port Angeles School Board to interview semi-finalists for superintendent

The Port Angeles School District board has selected five… Continue reading

The ferry MV Coho backs into its landing after returning to Port Angeles on Tuesday following annual dry dock and maintenance in Anacortes. During the maintenance period, extensive work was performed on the dock, including replacement of a wing wall used to steer and secure the vessel during loading and unloading of cars and passengers. The ferry is scheduled to resume daily service between Port Angeles and Victoria on Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Coho returns

The ferry MV Coho backs into its landing after returning to Port… Continue reading

Building association calls for city to cease utility charges

Association says charges unconstitutional

Jefferson Land Trust considering conservation burial ground

Funds from plot sales could fund habitat improvements

Port Angeles artist Bob Stokes sits in his studio and music venue on Wednesday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Art community mourns Bob Stokes’ passing

Legacy includes statues, concerts, gatherings

Clallam PUD
Cindy Kimble, Clallam PUD’s customer and community outreach programs coordinator, can help residents navigate the utility district’s revamped low-income energy assistance program.
Clallam PUD hires staff to help low-income customers

Clallam County Public Utility District has overhauled its low-income energy… Continue reading

Jen Colmore, left, and June Nichols of the Sequim Food Bank serve a sample of chili to Monica Dixon of Sequim during Saturday’s Community Chili Cookoff at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club. The event, organized by the club and Boy Scout Troop 90, showcased the culinary skills of six community organizations with each group receiving a share of the proceeds and the winner taking a $500 prize. The food bank’s chili recipe took top honors in the competition. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Chili cookoff

Jen Colmore, left, and June Nichols of the Sequim Food Bank serve… Continue reading