- Nisqually Delta (wa100.dnr.wa.gov)
Where glacial water draining off Mount Rainier meets the Puget Sound, the Nisqually River has created a vast, thriving delta. Explore over 4 miles of trails through the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, immersing yourself in the vibrant delta ecosystem. The 762 acres of the refuge offer a temporary home to over 300 species, including eagles, salmon, seals, tree frogs, and many varieties of waterfowl. Despite the tranquility of this site today, the past two centuries of its history were tumultuous. Manmade irrigation ditches built in the early 1900s converted the delta into farmland. Barns constructed during this time can still be seen along the trails within the refuge. The irrigation ditches drained the estuary of water, removing habitat for salmon and other species. In 2009, the largest ditch was removed, starting a process of estuary and ecosystem recovery that is still going on today.
- Nisqually River (Wikipedia)
The Nisqually River /nɪˈskwɑːli/ is a river in west central Washington in the United States, approximately 81 miles (130 km) long. It drains part of the Cascade Range southeast of Tacoma, including the southern slope of Mount Rainier, and empties into the southern end of Puget Sound. Its outlet was designated in 1971 as the Nisqually Delta National Natural Landmark.
