The Discovery Bay Unit is good for birdwatching and the creeks provide opportunities to observe summer chum salmon spawning. Habitat types include scrub-shrub wetland, marsh wetland, forested wetland, wet upland meadows, upland and estuary. The unit was acquired for stream, riparian, and estuarine restoration and protection.
The Discovery Bay Unit is located north of Highway 101 and State Route 20, at the confluence of Snow and Salmon Creeks in Jefferson County. The unit can be accessed from Uncas Road off of Highway 101.
The Discovery Bay Unit is in the Dungeness-Elwha basin. Surrounding property includes state-owned tideland, and private residential, agricultural and timber lands.
This unit is part of the North Olympic Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 621, 624
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- Unimproved parking
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- Overnight parking and camping are prohibited.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes forested, marsh, and scrub-shrub wetlands, wet upland meadows, upland and estuary, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife.
This unit offers good opportunities to view summer chum salmon spawning and offers good birdwatching.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Conservation
Habitat types on this unit include scrub-shrub wetland, marsh wetland, forested wetland, wet upland meadows, upland and estuary.This area has an extensive estuary and riparian restoration in progress.
Special habitats and species
This unit provides critical habitat for several listed species, including the threatened Puget Sound chinook salmon, Hood Canal/Strait of Juan de Fuca summer chum salmon, and bull trout. Additionally, this unit also supports various levels of agricultural activity that provide important winter foraging habitat for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and deer and elk.
Conservation goals
- Restore and protect riparian and estuarine habitat
This unit provides critical habitat for several listed species, including the threatened Puget Sound chinook salmon, Hood Canal/Strait of Juan de Fuca summer chum salmon, and bull trout. Additionally, this unit also supports various levels of agricultural activity that provide important winter foraging habitat for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and deer and elk.
- Restore and protect riparian and estuarine habitat
Land stewardship
The Discovery Bay Unit was acquired for stream, riparian, and estuarine restoration and protection.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1976 and 2007.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Salmon Recovery Fund |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2010 North Olympic Wildlife Area Management Plan
Every eight to 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments. In 2014, WDFW began the process of updating existing plans, many of which were written in 2006. The new plans are being developed with significant public participation and input.