Here’s a Brief Description Of The Puget Sound Area
In the northwestern area of the state of Washington is a place called Puget Sound. It is referred to as a estuarine system, a complex interconnected cavalcade of waterways and basins that lead out to the Pacific Ocean. Close to major cities such as Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle, it is a location that is very popular with people that like to boat and fish. Here is an overview of this remarkable system of waterways that you could visit if you are ever in the northwest of the United States.
How Did The Sound Get Its Name?
The name of this body of water originated back in the 1700s. It was provided by an individual called George Vancouver. The name Puget is derived from an individual on the Vancouver Expedition, a lieutenant that was there when this was found. There is also a Native American name for this location, Whulge, that is representative of a name for either the ocean or sound. There are three specific entrances to the south, and there is also the Admiralty Inlet which is close to Deception Pass and Whidbey Island.
An Overview Of This Waterway
There is quite a bit of information that has to discovered over the decades, some of which is provided by NOAA. It is a location that comprises five basins or regions, including the Northern Puget Sound area. Included in this definition is the Strait of Juan de Fuca, marking an international boundary. It was created as a result of continental ice sheets that have, over many thousands of years, carved out this entire location.
How The Puget Sound Area Is Utilized In Modern Times
In this area, there are many homes and businesses that are scattered throughout this region. The Washington state ferry system is responsible for connecting many of the larger islands with the mainland. This will include the transportation of not only people but vehicles, and well over 20 million passengers use these systems every year. It is due to this large amount of traffic, and the use of modern equipment that has prompted many environmental issues. This has led to a significant decrease in fish in the waters, some of which have been placed on the Endangered Species Act. Other environmental issues include the dispersal of radioactive material into the water, plus there have been incidents that created toxic contamination, habitat changes, and the minimal as a nation of oxygen in the waters themselves.
Although there are both good and bad points related to the Puget Sound area, in general, it is still a beautiful and iconic region of the United States. As people continue to improve their ability to use these waterways, perhaps adopting more environmentally friendly transportation solutions, it will preserve this area for hundreds of years to come. All of this was made possible through changes in the environment, likely starting over 10,000 years ago with the end of the last Ice Age. Today, it is something to behold, and will continue to be a great location to visit for many years to come.
Weather Around the Puget Sound Near Seattle
The Northern Pacific Ocean is a cool ocean in general. The Seattle area where the Puget Sound is located is known for particularly wet weather. While it does not rain year-round there are periods where it rains more frequently. As you might imagine, the late spring to summer are the times of year that get the least amount of rain. The fall and especially the winter are the times of year that receive the most amount of rainfall.
This is great if you like to ski in the nearby mountains like Crystal Ski Resort. Crystal Mountain receives about 350 inches of snow a year and is only a two hour car ride, or 85 miles from the Seattle area.
The winter storms come barreling off the Pacific Ocean, through the Puget Sound then slam into the Cascade Mountains and dump a bunch of wet snow on Crystal. This makes for great skiing.
Where To Go On Boat Tours
The northern parts of the Puget Sound area are the most popular. This is because of the growing popularity of the San Juan Islands area. The San Juan Islands are beautiful and attract more and more tourists and boats every year. With this increase activity comes traffic, and a general sense of the boating tour not being as awesome as it could be.
If you travel south, you’ll have more boating options. You can even visit the big city and take Seattle sightseeing tour and see the city and Lake Union, all on a Duck Boat. It’s a lot of fun for the whole family.
The undiscovered jewel of the Puget Sound area is the Southern Puget Sound.
Why?
Because no one goes there, at least not yet. You can still have a sense of adventure and peace and relaxation on your boat as you cruise the gentle, uncrowded waters and catch tremendous views of Mt. Rainier.
No matter what you choose, the Puget Sound has plenty of boat touring options. Go out and have fun and just remember to practice the proper safety techniques while on the water.
