Padilla Bay
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Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is an area of 8,004 acres of estuary located in Skagit County, Washington, United States. The location contains an interpretive center, research facilities, and public access to the beach site. It is a popular location for graduate studies from Western Washington University and the University of Washington.
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[edit] The Estuary
Padilla bay is a tidal bay that is the estuary for the Skagit river. It is entirely flooded at high tide and at low tide mudflats are exposed. These mud flats are habitat for many species of birds and animals. The bay is very shallow and at its outermost edge near Hat Island the bay is only 12 feet deep. Containing the estuary are dikes that were built in order to make farmland out of the the mudflats.
[edit] The Reserve
Padilla Bay is a part of the Estuarine Reserve System which it was incorporated into in 1980. It is managed by the Washington Department of Ecology. It has several trails. There is a wheelchair trail to the observation deck as well as a shore trail that is 2.25 miles long and runs along the top of the dikes.
[edit] Location
The research center is located in the Skagit Valley of Washington. The nearest town is Anacortes ,WA about 6 miles away. To reach the reserve from I-5 take exit 230 and go on Highway 20 toward Anacortes until you reach Bay view-Edison Road. On this road drive for five miles, go past Bay view State park 1/4 mile to the Beazeale Interpretive Center.
[edit] External link
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