Info on the Puget Sound
What is the Puget Sound?
The Puget Sound is a body of water in the state of Washington, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean, and part of the Salish Sea. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the open Pacific Ocean. Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and Deception Pass being the minor. Water flow through Deception Pass accounts for about 2% of the total tidal exchange between Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Puget Sound extends approximately 100 miles from Deception Pass in the north to Olympia, Washington in the south. Its average depth is 205 feet and its maximum depth, off Point Jefferson between Indianola and Kingston, is 930 feet. The depth of the main basin, between the southern tip of Whidbey Island and Tacoma, Washington, is approximately 600 feet.The term "Puget Sound" is used not just for the body of water but also the Puget Sound region centered on the sound.
What lives in the Sound?
It is estimated that more than 100 million geoducks are packed into Puget Sound's sediments. Also known as "king clam," geoducks are considered to be a delicacy in Asian countries. Orcas are famous throughout the Sound, and are a large tourist attraction. Salmon flow in and out of Puget Sound and are a main food source for many marine animals. Pinnipeds include the harbor seal, the Steller Sea Lion, the California Sea Lion, and the occasional Northern Elephant Seal. Minke, Humpback whale, and Grey Whales also live in the waters.
The Puget Sound is a body of water in the state of Washington, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean, and part of the Salish Sea. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the open Pacific Ocean. Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and Deception Pass being the minor. Water flow through Deception Pass accounts for about 2% of the total tidal exchange between Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Puget Sound extends approximately 100 miles from Deception Pass in the north to Olympia, Washington in the south. Its average depth is 205 feet and its maximum depth, off Point Jefferson between Indianola and Kingston, is 930 feet. The depth of the main basin, between the southern tip of Whidbey Island and Tacoma, Washington, is approximately 600 feet.The term "Puget Sound" is used not just for the body of water but also the Puget Sound region centered on the sound.
What lives in the Sound?
It is estimated that more than 100 million geoducks are packed into Puget Sound's sediments. Also known as "king clam," geoducks are considered to be a delicacy in Asian countries. Orcas are famous throughout the Sound, and are a large tourist attraction. Salmon flow in and out of Puget Sound and are a main food source for many marine animals. Pinnipeds include the harbor seal, the Steller Sea Lion, the California Sea Lion, and the occasional Northern Elephant Seal. Minke, Humpback whale, and Grey Whales also live in the waters.