Duwamish Waterway—Self Guided Tour:
Turning Basin Number Three and Terminal 105 Aquatic
Habitat Restoration Sites
Text and illustrations in the following pages include: (1)
summary information describing past aquatic and shoreline
habitat changes in south Elliott Bay and the Duwamish
River estuary (pages 2-10); (2) two examples of recent fish
and wildlife habitat restoration projects completed by the
port (pages 10-26); and (3) directions for visiting the
restoration sites (pages 27-30).
For additional information, questions, or to meet at these
sites, please contact Geo. Blomberg, Seaport
Environmental Programs, Port of Seattle, 206-728-3194
([email protected]).
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Figure 1: South Elliott Bay, view toward northeast, with Seattle urban center in middle background
Harbor Island, the East and West Waterways, and the lower Duwamish Waterway are visible in the foreground.
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Figure 2: Harbor Island in south Elliott Bay
Illustrating the center of the present urban/industrial infrastructure essential to the City and the Port of Seattle.
Harbor Island, center right, and adjacent industrial shoreland areas are served by deep draft navigational access in
the East Waterway (upper right) and the West Waterway (upper left). The Duwamish Waterway extends
upstream in the estuary from the south end of Harbor Island (center of photograph), approximately 5.3 miles,
providing water access to the Duwamish industrial area. Prior to 1900 this entire area consisted of intertidal mud
and sand flats, estuarine marsh, forested wetland, and meandering shallow river channel.
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Figure 3: Present industrial area and historic river channel
This graphic combines the present urban industrial shoreline in south Elliott Bay and the Duwamish
Waterway, as illustrated in the Figure 2 photograph, with conditions recorded in 1854. All existing marine
terminal area, rail and vehicle access facilities, and industrial land in south Elliott Bay have been
constructed in former intertidal and estuarine floodplain area (identified by the dark green shading).
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Figure 4: Graphic portraying historic estuarine environment in south Elliott Bay
The historic estuary included approximately 1450 acres of intertidal sand and mud substrate, nearly 1300 acres of
intertidal marsh, and approximately 1450 acres of tidal swamp (or forested wetland). In addition, the meandering
river channel included approximately 17 miles of riparian environment and estuarine floodplain. The combined
intertidal and estuarine floodplain habitat area was approximately 5300 acres.
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Figure 5: Westerly perspective -- Spokane Street corridor in 1898
This figure illustrates the extent of intertidal area in south Elliott Bay prior to large scale industrial development. Note
piling supported rail lines and vehicle access to west portion of south Elliott Bay.
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Figure 6: Westerly perspective -- Spokane Street corridor in 1998
This photograph is identical in location to the 1898 image (Figure 5). The elevated bridge structure is at the south
margin of Harbor Island. The present industrial area includes approximately 8.2 square miles (constructed entirely
in former estuarine aquatic area), supporting 75,000 to 80,000 jobs, with an annual payroll of $2.5 billion.
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Figure 7: Graphic illustrating present south Elliott Bay and Duwamish industrial area
The present industrial landscape represents a 98 percent reduction in intertidal sand/mud substrate and marsh area.
In addition, forested wetland is entirely absent. A system of linear, deep navigation channels has replaced the
former shallow, complex river channel. Note also that the former watershed discharging to the estuary was
approximately 1640 square miles, with 1900 linear miles of stream habitat accessible to five species of anadromous
fish. The present watershed in 73 percent smaller, due to water diversions, and only eight percent of the former
stream spawning habitat is available to migratory fish.
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Figure 8: Graphic illustrating significant reduction in estuarine habitat area – 1854 to present
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Figure 9: View to northwest illustrating the Duwamish Waterway, foreground, and south Elliott Bay, upper center
photograph
This is the present environmental context for the Port’s long-range marine cargo and industrial infrastructure needs.
The Port’s objective is to re-develop existing industrial area, expanding the capability of marine cargo facilities and
delivering important economic growth opportunity, while providing coincident environmental improvements in the
Duwamish industrial area.
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Figure 10: Turning Basin Number Three Demonstration Site
Former environmental conditions at the up-stream end of navigation in the Duwamish Waterway, at Turning
Basin Number Three (river mile 5.3) are evident in this photograph. Filled aquatic area is occupied by
industrial activities and shoreline areas, including the legacy of more than 80 years of industrial use. This
location is the site of the Port’s Turning Basin Number Three intertidal habitat demonstration project.
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Figure 11: Turning Basin Number Three Demonstration site graphic
The demonstration inter-tidal habitat restoration site (completed 1996) is illustrated in the right portion of this
graphic, including re-grading of site elevations and removal of derelict vessels and structures. The large area, at the
left, represents the Port’s subsequent plans for a larger, compensatory restoration area (completed in 1999), building
on the success of the 1996 demonstration project.
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Figure 12: Turning Basin Number Three habitat demonstration site underway
The first step in restoration work at the turning basin site was to remove derelict vessels that had been
abandoned at the upstream end of the navigation channel over a period of decades.
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Figure 13: Turning Basin Number Three demonstration site grading
Restoration of aquatic habitat functions at the turning basin demonstration site included excavation of
approximately 3500 cubic yards of previously placed fill material, restoring intertidal elevations at the site.
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Figure 14: Establishing riparian and marsh vegetation at the Turning Basin Number Three site
Approximately 0.2 acres of native riparian vegetation and approximately 0.4 acres of emergent plants were
installed at the restoration site. All of the site planting was accomplished by volunteers, students, and job trainees.
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Figure 15: Turning Basin Number Three demonstration site following construction in 1996
This photograph illustrates restored intertidal area, marsh plantings, and recently installed riparian vegetation.
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Figure 16: Turning Basin Number Three Demonstration site in 1999
The intertidal marsh plantings and native riparian shrubs and trees are well developed at the demonstration site
three years following completion of excavation and grading. Note the fence structures in the intertidal area.
Initial marsh plantings disappeared entirely within six weeks of installation, due to feeding by geese. It was
necessary to fence the plantings to prevent grazing by Canada geese. Once mature, the marsh plants will
withstand waterfowl predation.
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Figure 17: 1999, construction of large scale fish and wildlife habitat restoration area at Turning Basin Number Three—
removal of derelict former Washington State ferry.
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Figure 18: Illustrating the difficulty in removing obstructions to fish and wildlife, in the form of a derelict ferry hull
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Figure 19: Illustrating removal of approximately 33,000 tons of fill material placed more than 80 years ago at
Turning Basin Number Three (recall image from Figure 10)
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Figure 20: Approximately 1.3 acres of restored estuarine aquatic area at Turning Basin Number Three (1999),
made possible by coincident redevelopment actions at the port’s Terminal 5 container cargo site
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Figure 21: Marsh vegetation planted at the Turning Basin Number Three restoration site, following seven months of growth
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Figure 22: Photograph illustrating native estuarine marsh, with side channel features
The historic marsh habitat in the Duwamish estuary contained marsh area similar to the photograph above. Marsh
area is now rare in the Duwamish estuary and side channels penetrating marsh area, once abundant, are now
entirely absent. The Terminal 105 demonstration site was planned as a means to re-introduce similar marsh and
side channel habitat to the estuary.
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Figure 23: Preliminary concept for Terminal 105 Demonstration site
This graphic illustrates an early design concept for constructing a side channel intertidal habitat area at Terminal
105. It is important to note that the environmental objective is to restore a former habitat feature to the estuary.
In addition, the demonstration project tested how restored estuarine habitat areas could be configured to fit
industrial shoreline areas, without impeding important waterway access. Habitat restoration area oriented
perpendicular to the shoreline would provide essential environmental attributes and not foreclose industrial access
to adjacent shoreline areas.
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Figure 24: Terminal 105 Demonstration site under construction
Approximately 9400 cubic yards of previously placed fill was removed to create a 0.6 acre intertidal channel
approximately 1300 feet in length. During construction a buried vault was discovered, filled with paint and solvent
wastes, adding substantial project costs for cleanup and confirmation testing of newly exposed intertidal sediments.
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Figure 25: Completed Terminal 105 demonstration project site – 1997
The restoration project is illustrated at low tide – note the extent of tidal influence indicated by the wetted
bankline. The site is inundated twice daily by tidal water up to five feet in depth. Following grading, the
restoration site received 0.3 acres of native riparian trees and shrubs and more than 1100 marsh plants. All site
vegetation work was accomplished by community participants.
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Site Directions
(1) Turning Basin Number Three and (2) Terminal 105
Please find below driving directions to each of the fish and wildlife habitat restoration
sites described. Please note that the restoration sites are difficult to reach using public
transit.
Turning Basin Number Three—10108 West Marginal Place South
From north and downtown Seattle:
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Travel south on Highway 99 (Alaskan Way Viaduct)
Follow signs to First Avenue South bridge
From south end of First Avenue South bridge, exit to right and follow signs to WA-99
and West Marginal Way South/South Park
Curve to right and follow signs for Highway 99 South to South Park (route passes under
First Avenue South bridge, via Second Avenue South and Highland Park Way
Southwest, resuming Highway 99 south-bound at South Holden Street intersection)
Continue south on Highway 99
Exit at Des Moines Drive/14th Avenue South
Follow exit to right to cross Highway 99 overpass and follow signs to 14th Avenue
South
At east end of overpass, turn right onto 14th Avenue South and proceed to stop sign 27
Turning Basin Number Three, driving directions, cont.
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Continue ahead, 14th Avenue South becomes West Marginal Place South
Proceed south on West Marginal Place, past City Light substation and Hamm Creek
pull-out—Duwamish Waterway visible on the left
Look for a small parking area at end of bicycle pathway. Restoration site is east of
bicycle pathway
From the south:
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From Inter-state Highway 5 take exit 156 and merge onto Highway 599 to
Tukwila/West Marginal Way
Highway 599 becomes Highway 99
Take West Marginal Place South exit and turn left to West Marginal Place South
Look for small parking area on right, where bicycle pathway ends
Restoration area is east of bicycle pathway
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Terminal 105, Driving Directions
Terminal 105—4260 West Marginal Way Southwest
From north and downtown Seattle:
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Travel south on Highway 99 and use West Seattle Freeway or low-level Spokane Street
bridge to West Marginal Way Southwest
Follow West Marginal Way Southwest from four-way intersection at Chelan Avenue
Southwest/Southwest Spokane Street/Delridge Way Southwest/West Marginal Way
Southwest to south-bound West Marginal Way Southwest
Look for Port of Seattle, Terminal 103 sign on left
At south margin of Terminal 103 look for blue and white Port of Seattle sign marking
Terminal 105—Duwamish Public Shoreline Access site
Enter to left, crossing rail line, to public shoreline access and fish and wildlife habitat
restoration area
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Terminal 105, Driving Directions, cont.
From south:
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Follow signs from Highway 509 to northbound West Marginal Way Southwest. This
requires exiting to right from Highway 509, at last opportunity south of First Avenue
South bridge.
Turn left at Highway 99/South Holden Street/West Marginal Way intersection, to
proceed north-bound on West Marginal Way Southwest, under First Avenue South
bridge
Ignore signs relating to Highland Park Way, turning right to West Marginal Way
Southwest
Follow West Marginal Way Southwest north past Terminal 115 and Terminal 107 to
area of West Marginal Way Southwest near West Marginal Way Southwest/Dakota
Street Southwest intersection
North of intersection look for blue and white Port of Seattle sign indicating Terminal
105—Duwamish Public Shoreline Access site
Enter to right, crossing rail line, to public shoreline access and fish and wildlife habitat
restoration area
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