Driftwood provides habitat for many species. Photo: Kelly Zupich

Hoypus Point Restoration

350 linear feet of shoreline armor and debris was removed from Hoypus Point in November 2022 at the north end of Deception Pass State Park near Cornet Bay, restoring nearshore processes and habitat for fish and wildlife while also improving access to the beach. Multiple groups came together to make this project possible. These groups included the Northwest Straits Foundation, Island County Marine Resources Committee, and WA State Parks. 

In the early 1900s, the location was the southern terminus for a ferry that crossed Deception Pass to Yokeko Point on Fidalgo Island. The ferry became obsolete once the Deception Pass bridge was constructed in 1935. However, some infrastructure from the ferry remained on site.

Bulkhead walls like this reflect the energy of waves as they hit the beach, causing the finer sand and gravel to be washed away, making the beach courser and steeper. Forage fish like Sandlance and Surf smelt need these beaches to spawn and bury their eggs among the sand.

Surf smelt and Sandlance spawn in the mid to upper reaches of the beaches. They are essential prey for our migrating salmon in the Whidbey Basin, which is critical for the recovery of Southern Resident Killer whales. Construction was initially delayed in October 2022 when Surf smelt spawning was detected by biologists within and adjacent to the restoration area.

Following construction, Island County Marine Resources Committee, Northwest Straits Foundation, and community volunteers added 1,300 trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials to reestablish a marine riparian corridor to benefit salmon, forage fish, and birds. These native trees and shrubs will reestablish shading and stability of the shoreline and will need to be maintained for several years as they grow, including watering during the dry summer months to keep the plants healthy.

Our work includes ongoing monitoring of forage fish spawning and Bull kelp.  

Hoypus Point Before and After Video

Before

After

Project funders include:

  • Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery
  • Puget Sound Acquisition & Restoration
  • Estuarine & Salmon Restoration Program
  • United State Environmental Protection Agency
  • Island County Lead Entity for Salmon Recovery
  • National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.
Hoypus Point Restoration