This page was last updated by the Content Provider on 01-Aug-2007
Nisqually-Deschutes Basins
The eastern portion of the combined river basins lies within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park. Both rivers originate within the park - the Nisqually formed from melting glaciers on the southwesterly slopes of Mount Rainier and the Deschutes in the hills south of Alder Lake. Both rivers flow north and empty into the southern reaches of Puget Sound.
The western portion of the basin, with fertile, alluvial lowlands, is mostly agriculture, while eastern uplands are mostly forested. Summers are cool and winters mild. The mean annual precipitation varies from 40 inches near the Sound to more than 120 inches on Mount Rainier, which receives heavy snowfall.
Olympia Harbor
Completed Navigation Project (Seattle District)
Navigation Improvement Feasibility Study, Terminated
Olympia Harbor, at the head of Budd Inlet at the southern end of Puget Sound, has facilities for all types of vessels. A deep-draft navigation channel extends from the deep water in Budd Inlet to a turning basin and the Port Terminal. Total costs through September 1998 were $337,709 for new work and $819,382 for maintenance. The uncompleted portion of the project was deauthorized Jan. 1, 1990 under provisions of Public Law 99-662.
A congressionally authorized feasibility study was initiated in fiscal year 1988 to examine the feasibility of navigation improvements to the existing deep-draft navigation channel. The study is sponsored by the Port of Olympia. The feasibility study was completed in 1991. Due to market uncertainties, the study was terminated in July 1991 at the request of the Port of Olympia.
Small Town Harbor, Olympia Harbor
Completed Section 107 Navigation Project (Seattle District)
The project consists of a 700-foot-long concrete floating breakwater, entrance and access channels, and a moorage basin for 800 boats, with recreation facilities provided on the floating breakwater. The breakwater, entrance and access channels, and recreation facilities were constructed by the Corps of Engineers with the $3.8 million cost shared by the federal government and the Port of Olympia, project sponsor. The port also furnished a disposal area with containment dikes for dredged material, dredged the moorage basin, and constructed necessary moorage floats and shoreside facilities. These items cost an additional $9 million.
Project dredging was completed in July 1982, and the floating breakwater was constructed in May 1983.
