Asarco Embayment Creation

Farther south on the peninsula, a small embayment  was created by excavating slag, which can be seen mounded in the background. The embayment was created to provide habitat  for fish and other marine animals. The site visit was during  a low tide; usually, this area is below water. The shallow  embayment was designed to provide several types of habitat in  order to be attractive to a variety of animals. Three  different bottom types, or substrates, were provided: soft  muddy bottom, a few areas of larger gravel, and long rows of  rocks. The rows of rocks will cause waves to break on the  forebeach, creating areas of calmer water behind the rocks,  another type of habitat complexity.

(08.28.00, Tacoma, Washington)