| We received our meters, displays, probes, and other tools during early 2010. This got us started. But because we had been studying our monitoring manuals (especially from EPA) and hundreds of downloads from the web on estuary monitoring, when the meters arrived, we were ready to collect DO and other water quality readings from waters throughout Quilcene and Dabob bays. |
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| Quilcene Bay is our primary objective for DO (dissolved oxygen) monitoring. As shown in this map, we monitor 10 sites and try to get at least 10 expeditions in this area during each season. We get DO readings at every site and nitrate, turbidity (Secchi depth) at 2 of the "n" sites. Our DO probe is dropped to 10, 20, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 feet whenever the water is deep enough. We also take pictures (captures) during the expedition to give an idea of the underwater conditions for plant and wildlife. |
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| Dabob Bay is our secondary objective. As shown on the map, we have 9 sites in this area, including the ORCA buoy, almost perfectly in the center. Although we try to take nitrate readings at the "n" sites, our equipment and the time factor limits us to 2 water samples at each of 2 of the "n" sites. We take those samples at 10 and 50 feet. |
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| This map shows our total of 55 sites (including north and south Hood Canal). Other than the Quilcene and Dabob Estuary sites, we try to visit at least 2 times a season. We are especially interested in the west side of Dabob Bay, along the Brinnon shores, all the way to the center of Hood Canal. Our reports are showing a big difference in DO readings of Dabob Bay and Hood Canal. (Dabob Bay shows higher readings near the surface.) The reasons for this difference is a mystery to us. |
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| This map shows 45 of the sites we have expeditions to during the year. Because our protocol calls for taking up to 8 readings at each site (from 10 to 300 feet when possible), an expedition to Hood Canal north is a 2-day trip to the bridge and return. In the summer of 2011 we did a TOW expedition through this area, but in the future we plan to take complete readings from surface to bottom along with our other standard parameters. |
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| Our flagship, the Sea Turtle, is a big-bellied 40-foot sloop with a large deck and a 150 square-foot salon. It allows excellent workspaces on and below deck. The Sea Turtle is a tribrid -- that is, it's powered with sails, electric motor, and twin outboards. |
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| The Sea Turtle has twin low-draft keels and a rudder-skeg as a third leg if it needs to stand on its own. |  |
| The job of the first mate is to get the Sea Turtle ready to leave port whenever an expedition is scheduled. |
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| Sometimes it's not ideal to leave port for an expedition, but the Sea Turtle is always ready to go. |
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| But in winter or summer, we can't go on any expedition without our skipper. She runs a tight ship -- and we listen. Although we all take turns at the helm during the expedition, she's at the wheel whenever we approach or leave port. |
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| The Little Turtle is mostly used for expeditions in Quilcene Bay and the tidal flats. Because it draws only 2 feet, it allows us to get close to the mouth of the Big Quilcene River to get samples and dissolved oxygen readings. We also use the Little Turtle for observation tours to watch the seals and eagles during the summer months. |
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| Curt, our very versatile DO technician, is also a good mechanic. Like its mothership, the Little Turtle takes a share of downtime for maintenance. In this photo, you can see that the Little Turtle is ready for an expedition around Quilcene Bay. |
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| Here's kind of a "Waldo" test. See if you can spot all the equipment that we need for our DO collection. The DO probe, the DO display, the water sampler for salinity and nitrates, the Secchi Disk, the sonar and chart display, and the net for hauling up debris. We use the same equipment for expeditions beyond Quilcene Bay with the Sea Turtle. |
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| When we take special observation tours and we need to go ashore, we tow our electric-powered Sea Worm. |
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| Sometimes during the summer when the eagles and seals are active, we take the entire fleet for observations. Everyone loves being on the water during the summer months. Especially with the Turtle fleet. |
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