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AquaticsNearshore img AquaticRes 2023 [Washington (State)]

WaTech Geospatial Program Office · 2023 Full Details

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Full Details

Title
AquaticsNearshore img AquaticRes 2023 [Washington (State)]
Description
This aerial imagery mosaic was collected on behalf of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WA DNR) by NV5 as part of a program to map the annual extent of floating kelp canopies in Washington State. There are two species of floating kelp in Washington: bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana; found in all surveyed areas) and giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera; found on the coast and Strait of Juan de Fuca). Floating kelp forests provide essential habitat for many marine species, and are of cultural and economic significance in the Northeast Pacific and around the world. Areas surveyed with aerial imagery in 2023 include the US portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, North Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, part of Saratoga Passage & the Whidbey Island Basin, WA DNR managed aquatic reserves (Cherry Point AR, Cypress Island AR, and Smith & Minor Islands AR), and the Tacoma Narrows. Aerial surveys were conducted between July and September during low-tide, slack-current conditions identified by WA DNR as optimal for kelp forest monitoring, with some exceptions. This imagery has four spectral bands (Band_1 = red, Band_2 = green, Band_3 = blue, Band_4 = near-infrared) plus an alpha channel (Band_5), and was collected at 6-inch spatial resolution. A full report summarizing collection methods can be found here . Floating kelp canopies can be readily visualized using an "NGB" band combination (near-infrared, green, blue), but can also be seen in many places with standard RGB imagery (red, green, blue). Floating kelp distribution data generated using this imagery supports WA DNR's long-term kelp forest monitoring goals and mandate to ensure environmental protection of state-owned aquatic lands. Imagery from this project is publicly distributed in compressed (lossy) MrSID format for accessibility and efficient visualization, and is therefore not suitable for image classification and analysis. Please contact the WA DNR Nearshore Habitat Program about other products that are available. For more information and inquiries about products available at specific locations, please contact Danielle Claar, WA DNR, Nearshore Habitat Program at: danielle.claar@dnr.wa.gov or nearshore@dnr.wa.gov .
Creator
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Publisher
WaTech Geospatial Program Office
Temporal Coverage
2023
Date Issued
2025-10-21
Rights
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides these geographic data "as is." DNR makes no guarantee or warranty concerning the accuracy of information contained in the geographic data. DNR further makes no warranties, either expressed or implied as to any other matter whatsoever, including, without limitation, the condition of the product, or its fitness for any particular purpose. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely with the user. Although these data have been processed successfully on computers of DNR, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by DNR regarding the use of these data on any other system, nor does the fact of distribution constitute or imply any such warranty. In no event shall the DNR have any liability whatsoever for payment of any consequential, incidental, indirect, special, or tort damages of any kind, including, but not limited to, any loss of profits arising out of use of or reliance on the geographic data or arising out of the delivery, installation, operation, or support by DNR.
Access Rights
Public
Format
ArcGIS ImageMapLayer
Language
English
Date Added
November 05, 2025
Provenance Statement
The metadata for this resource was last retrieved from State of Washington Geospatial Open Data Portal on 2025-11-04.

Links

Cite and Reference

  • Citation
    Washington State Department of Natural Resources (2025). AquaticsNearshore img AquaticRes 2023 [Washington (State)]. WaTech Geospatial Program Office. https://geo.wa.gov/datasets/wadnr::aquaticsnearshore-img-aquaticres-2023 (web service)
  • BTAA Geoportal Link

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