Maxwelton Estuary

Maxwelton estuary covers 170 acres and is located in the southwest portion of Whidbey Island.  It is primarily freshwater marsh.

Source of fresh water

The main freshwater sources of water are Maxwelton and Quade Creeks and a third unnamed tributary.

All three water sources flow into the freshwater marsh and then out into Admiralty Inlet through a tidegate and culvert through the beach berm. There is a minimal exchange of salt water through the tidegate.

Plants

Alnus rubra, Pasture Grasses, Juncus effuses, Phalaris arundinacea, Rosa pisocarpa, Rubus procerus, Salix spp., and Typha latifolia.

Man made obstructions to the estuary

There is extensive pastureland in the marsh buffer and dense residential use on the beach berm.

Description of the historic estuary

Historically this was a saltmarsh with a 3,200 foot sand spit parallel to the shoreline that was protected from wave action. That spit has completely disappeared.

Resources

Island County Estuarine Restoration Program

Prepared by Sheldon & Associates, Inc., June 2001

Puget Sound Creosote Awareness project

www.pscap.net/index_m.htm