Killer Whales photographed from San Juan Island, WA.
About the Encyclopedia

Community, synthesis, ecosystem science

The Encyclopedia of Puget Sound is a free, open access website where scientists, policymakers and educators find and share information about the Puget Sound ecosystem. Read more about us.

The Paradise River flows away from the peak of Mt. Rainier in Mt. Rainier National Park.
Our scope

The watershed

Puget Sound is fed by its many water sources, from high elevation snowmelt to floodplains and wetlands. Articles and accounts feature terrestrial species and environments, as well as nearshore and marine systems. View watershed boundaries.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias). Photo: George Gentry, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Species Library

Species of the Puget Sound region

Puget Sound hosts more than 100 species of seabirds, 200 species of fish, 15 marine mammal species, hundreds of plant species, and thousands of invertebrate species. Find descriptions and photos in our Species Library.

Figure 9 from Ch 2, Sec 5 of the Puget Sound Science Review. Modeling biophysical and human-based impacts on human well-being.
Puget Sound Science Review

Best available science

The Puget Sound Science Review includes synthesis documents created or reviewed by an editorial board of experts from agencies, academic institutions and other organizations working in the Puget Sound region.

ERMA map: Watershed boundary subbasins with WRIA overlay
Maps and GIS Section

GIS layers and monitoring data

We are collaborating with NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration to enhance map layers and GIS data on NOAA’s Environmental Response Management Application® (ERMA). Browse the ERMA map layer list.

Figure and title from 1954 UW report on oceanographic effects of Puget Sound surface winds
Document Archive

Historical reports and proceedings

Our document archive includes a rich history of Puget Sound science, from the State of the Sound to a complete collection of Salish Sea conference proceedings.

Coast Salish Canoe Journey 2009 landing in Pillar Point. Photo: Carol Reiss, USGS
Features

Telling the story

Features tell the story of Puget Sound recovery. We bring you key summaries and profiles that provide clarity and context, making it easier for you to find and understand the information you need.

Killer Whales photographed from San Juan Island, WA.
The Paradise River flows away from the peak of Mt. Rainier in Mt. Rainier National Park.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias). Photo: George Gentry, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Figure 9 from Ch 2, Sec 5 of the Puget Sound Science Review. Modeling biophysical and human-based impacts on human well-being.
ERMA map: Watershed boundary subbasins with WRIA overlay
Figure and title from 1954 UW report on oceanographic effects of Puget Sound surface winds
Coast Salish Canoe Journey 2009 landing in Pillar Point. Photo: Carol Reiss, USGS

State of the science workshop explores Puget Sound floodplains

Submitted by jeffrice on Fri, 2013-06-07 13:30
Recently Added Feature

Suspended-Sediment Concentrations during Dam Decommissioning in the Elwha River

Elwha River. Image courtesy of NOAA.


The USGS has released the results of a peer-reviewed study of sediment concentrations in the lower Elwha River for the period of September 2011 to February 2013.

More Features >

Recent papers

View selected papers and reports relevant to Puget Sound science. The list is generated monthly through alerts by Google Scholar, and we welcome additional suggestions.

Species of the day

Sage Sparrow
View details of:
 Amphispiza belli
Puget Sound Voices

Media: Puget Sound scuba pioneer

Puget Sound science owes a debt to the researchers and explorers who got there first. We profile some of these important figures in an occasional series we call Puget Sound Voices. This month, we feature Vern Morgas, one of Puget Sound's first scuba divers.

Vern Morgas (second from the left) and friends

Prior to the 1940s, if you wanted to explore the waters beneath Puget Sound, you might have used a Jules Verne-style diving suit, complete with giant helmet and air tubes. Either that or you held your breath.

Hear an interview with Vern Morgas >

News

Puget Sound floodplains were the focus of a recent state of the science workshop in Tacoma. Read more and download related documents.

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The Encyclopedia builds upon the efforts of scientists working throughout the Salish Sea region. You can be part of this process by giving us your feedback. We invite you to take a short survey.

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