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Waketickeh
Creek Conservation Area
WAC
220-16-740: "'Waketickeh Creek Conservation Area' is defined
as those waters and bedlands from Waketickeh Creek (located 1000
yards northeast of Cummings Point) out perpendicular to shore 500
yards, then parallel to shore northeast 1700 yards, then back to
shore along a line perpendicular to shore, excluding the area within
100 feet of ordinary high water." Effective since 9/16/2000.
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IMAGE TO ENLARGE MAP
 
Geographic
Statistics
| Area
Type |
Acres |
Hectares |
| Intertidal |
0.32 |
0.13 |
| Subtidal |
146.03 |
59.09 |
| Total |
146.35 |
59.22 |
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Links
to other imagery about this site
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This
image was taken from a boat in the mid section at the north
end of the area, looking SW.
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| Recreational
Restrictions / Openings |
| Species |
Status |
Comments,
notes... |
| Salmon |
Closed |
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| Trout |
Closed |
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| Bottomfish |
Closed |
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| Shellfish |
Closed |
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| Forage
Fish |
Closed |
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| Unclassified |
Closed |
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| Commercial
Restrictions / Openings |
Species |
Status |
Comments,
notes... |
| Salmon |
Closed |
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| Bottomfish |
Closed |
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| Shellfish |
Closed |
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| Forage
Fish |
Closed |
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| Unclassified |
Closed |
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| Prominent
and unique features |
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The Waketickeh Creek Conservation Area is the most expansive
fully-protected marine reserve in Hood Canal and is one
of three marine reserves that protect rare rocky habitats
in southern Hood Canal. A prominent patch of rocky habitat
comprises much of the subtidal habitat at the northern
end of the reserve. The rocky habitat occurs in three
or more discrete configurations as distinct shallow, middle-depth,
and deep rocky habitat patches. The shallow reef occurs
from near intertidal depths down to 30 feet (mllw), the
middle reef extends from approximately 35 feet to 50 feet,
and the deep reef extends from 60 feet to at least 80
feet. Deeper portions of the reef may occur but have not
been mapped. These patches of rock habitat are composed
of bedrock with extensive folding, fissures, and boulder
fields that form the basis for dense fish and invertebrate
communities. These rocky habitats are separated and surrounded
by unconsolidated substrates including cobbles, pebbles,
gravel, sand, and mud, and these extend south to the southern
perimeter of the reserve. At the southern end of the reserve,
a steep cliff on the shore gives rise to a bedrock wall
in the subtidal zone. Although the nearshore 100 feet
is not part of the reserve, some of the rocky habitat
and boulder fields at the base of the wall are inside
the reserve.
In the photic zone to 30 feet (mllw), bladed kelps and
foliose red algae cover much of the rocky habitat.
The shoreline not part of the reserve consists of a
mixture of gravel, pebbles, cobble, and boulders. Houses
are found along the shore in northern portion of the
reserve. |
| Description
of fish, bird, and mammal resources at the site |
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The rocky habitats support a diverse and abundant fish
community dominated by copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus)
and quillback rockfish (S. maliger). The copper
rockfish occur in schools often observed over the crown
of the deep rock pile. In addition, other marine fishes
are common on the rocky habitats including striped seaperch
(Embitoca lateralis), pile perch (Rhacochilus
vacca), wolfeel (Anarrichthys oceallatus),
vermillion rockfish (S. miniatus), juvenile yelloweye
rockfish (S. ruberrimus), blackeye goby (Coryphopterus
nicholsii), and painted greenling (Oxylebius pictus).
Giant Pacific octopuses (Enteroctopus dofleini)
are common at the site and a variety of encusting sponges
are found on the rocks. Other predominant macro-invertebrates
include formations of cloud sponges (Aphroocallistes
vastus) that occur in deep portions of the northern
reserve, red rock crabs (Cancer productus), and
sponges.
Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are observed in
the marine reserve and seabirds such as grebes and pigeon
guillemots can be seen in the reserve. |
| Programs
in place to manage the site |
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WDFW regulations prohibit recreational and commercial
fishing at the Waketickeh Creek Conservation Area, and
WDFW manages the site as fully-protected marine reserve
for non-tribal citizens. The taking of all species of
invertebrates and fishes is prohibited by WDFW regulations.
Volunteers from the recreational diving community were
very active in the nomination and declaration of this
site. Access is limited to this site because of the
private ownership of the uplands and its remote location
from public boat ramps. However, a resort for divers
is located just to the north of the reserve and the
resort owner supports the reserve.
The enforcement of the harvest restrictions is relegated
to the Enforcement Program of WDFW. Information on the
site boundaries and restrictions is found in WDFW's
Sport Fishing Pamphlet and formal regulations are published
at the State of Washington's Administrative Code available
on the state's web site. Because of the private ownership
of the uplands bordering the reserve no shore-based
signage is present. WDFW is developing specific pamphlets
describing each of its marine reserves.
WDWF scientists include the Waketickeh Creek Conservation
Area in their marine reserve monitoring efforts. The
site is visited several times per year when the scientists
perform a census of the fish living on the two southern
rocky habitats. During these surveys, all fish are identified,
counted, and measured. The areas of the rocky habitats
have been measured so fish densities can be assessed
and compared to previous surveys or other areas. |
| Issues
of concern |
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Some of the owners of the uplands bordering the reserve
have expressed opposition to the designation and presence
of the Waketickeh Creek Conservation Area. Since shore
diving is limited, boat anchoring potentially could be
a problem. The lack of buoys and shore-based markers marking
the reserve limit the ability of agents to enforce the
rules. |
| Performance
measures |
| The
number of divers and volunteers who visit and work at
the site.
Acceptance
by upland owners and local fishers.
The
continued presence of a diverse fish community.
Increasing
or sustained abundances of copper rockfish.
Increasing
and sustained large individual sizes of copper rockfish. |
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