|
The last major survey of bay clams in Coos Bay took place in the 1970s, when ODFW assessed 15 of Oregon’s estuaries. ODFW repeated this effort within Coos Bay in 2008 and 2009, to review the current status of shellfish populations. ODFW hopes to continue assessing Oregon’s other estuaries in future years, repeating the 1970’s effort along the coast and gathering informative data.
The 1970's Coos Bay study produced the “Natural Resources of Coos Bay Estuary: Estuary Inventory Report” (a.k.a. raccoon report, due to the raccoon on the cover) which summarizes physical and biological characteristics of Coos Bay. It was intended to provide useful information to urban planners, biologists, and citizens for estuarine management by providing detailed information about estuary habitats and the distribution of target species. It continues to be one of the most comprehensive studies of Oregon’s estuaries, and planners, biologists, and citizens alike are excited about repeating the effort.
The Coos Bay Estuary Report from the 1970s provides a valuable reference, or baseline, to help us understand if Coos Bay has changed in the last 40 years. We know that there has been a change in some species; for example, the purple varnish clam was introduced to Coos Bay and is now common in some areas. Other changes may become apparent through repeated assessment. This information can then be put to use when considering management and policy decisions that will affect estuarine organisms and habitats in the future.
The Coos Bay Estuary Report from the 1970s provides a valuable reference, or baseline, to help us understand if Coos Bay has changed in the last 40 years. We know that there has been a change in some species; for example, the purple varnish clam was introduced to Coos Bay and is now common in some areas. Other changes may become apparent through repeated assessment. This information can then be put to use when considering management and policy decisions that will affect estuarine organisms and habitats in the future.
Below you can see aerial photography of Coos Bay from the 1970s and 2005. In some areas the coastal topography is quite different. If that’s how much the landmass has changed, think about how much the estuarine ecosystem, and with it the clam populations, may have changed over the decades.
Airport Region
Pigeon Point and Clam Island
The Mouth and South Slough
Going back further in time, below is a chart of Coos (or Koos) Bay in 1862.
Much was different about Coos Bay nearly 150 years ago. Most noticeably there were no jetties, and north spit, as we know it today, is nonexistent. At that point in time the bar was only ten feet deep, whereas today it is almost forty feet deep and projects are in the works to deepen it. Marine life in the bay was different at that time as well; for example, there were no softshells or oysters present.
Click on map to see larger
|
