Semiahmoo Spit

age

Archeological evidence indicated the spit has developed across Drayton Harbor over the last 4000 to 5000 years (Grabert & Schwartz, 1972).

description

At the northern most reach of Whatcom County’s shoreline is a spit approximately 2000 meters long trending northeasterly from the north side of Birch Point (fig.2.). The spit separates Drayton Harbor from Semiahmoo Bay and provides some protection for small boats and shoreline developments within the bay.

elevation

Semiahmoo Spit is a low depositional feature rising approximately two meters above mean high water. Its low undulating sandy surface is covered with beach and grass scattered trees.

growth

The northeasterly growth of Semiahmoo Spit indicates that sediment eroded from Birch Point has been transported by littoral drift northward, leading to the growth of the spit.

map

Whatcom County Shorelines (figure 1)

random

Cisuralian (Wikipedia) The Cisuralian is the first series/epoch of the Permian. The Cisuralian was preceded by the Pennsylvanian and followed by the Guadalupian. The Cisuralian Epoch is named after the western slopes of the Ural Mountains in Russia and Kazakhstan and dates between 298.9 ± 0.15 – 272.3 ± 0.5 Ma.

spit of

Whatcom County, Washington

tags

spit

width

It [Semiahmoo Spit] is only thirty to forty meters wide along its southern connection with Birch Point. High storm waves frequently overtop this area limiting access to the spit. Toward the northeastern end, the spit gently broadens to nearly three hundred meters, and appears to be quite stable.