Hood Canal Dissolved Oxygen Program
Many of us take the health and well-being of Hood Canal for granted when we look across the serene waters. The calm surface of any water can be deceptive to the things which are happening below the surface. Local newspaper chronicles, a published national report, an emergency fisheries closure, and legislative focus have all featured Hood Canal and the occurrence of low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels which have affected marine life.
The HCSEG, with 20+ other stakeholders have formed a science and corrective action program (Hood Canal Dissolved Oxygen Program) to address the needs to better understand the dynamics of Hood Canal and ways in which to move towards action in finding ways to lessen the problem.
Current and past data indicates that it has taken a long time for the processes in Hood Canal to become altered enough to reach the current state of concern. March 2005 marks the beginning stages of a 3 year program termed Hood Canal Dissolved Oxygen Program (HCDOP). The HCDOP brings together local, regional, and state groups to collectively contribute to the understanding. See www.hoodcanal.washington.edu
University of Washington R/V Thomas G. Thompson lowering the rosette to take low DO samples (photo courtesy of www.thesunlink.com
Since August 2003, the HCSEG has coordinated a weekly sampling effort in the marine waters of the canal with the contribution of trained volunteers (red dots on map below indicate sampling locations). This sampling effort has provided a tremendous increase in the understanding of the marine water dynamics. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has also used the weekly sampling results to help assess the status of fisheries.
Understanding the causes and processes leading to the low dissolved oxygen events in Hood Canal will require detailed hydrodynamic and biogeochemical analysis models. These models are being developed by the U.W. The sampling efforts within the HCDOP will provide actual measured parameters for running the models. Variations in the atmosphere, climate and ocean inputs can be evaluated as well. When the models have been verified, changes in specific nutrient loadings, freshwater inflow and other factors can be studied to develop potential corrective actions and their impact on the dissolved oxygen levels over time.
The HCSEG has plans to continue its effort in supporting the research and sampling to help find some of the answers to the questions regarding the complexities of the DO issue. If you are interested in getting involved or just want to learn more, please contact the HCSEG office.
