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Research & Data > Monitoring & Assessment > Puget Sound & marine monitoring > Eyes over Puget Sound

Eyes over Puget Sound

Around once a month, we take to the air and travel by boat to obtain high-resolution aerial photo observations and gather water data at our monitoring stations and state ferry transects. This provides us a visual picture of the health of Puget Sound, which we call Eyes Over Puget Sound or EOPS.

Eyes Over Puget Sound empowers you to:

  • See what is currently happening in Puget Sound.
  • See how weather and climate are shaping Puget Sound water quality.
  • Use Eyes Over Puget Sound as free educational material for your own endeavors.

Download a copy of the latest Eyes Over Puget Sound.

Surface conditions on our latest flight

This summer, river flows were generally lower than in 2020. In August, high air temperatures and low precipitation continued, following a drought-emergency declaration in mid-July that also affected marine conditions. The higher-than-normal-salinity that persisted during summer in Puget Sound marine water, however, is eroding away, and lower-than-normal oxygen conditions developed in the Central Sound in the month of August. 

Many blooms and organic material were reported by the public throughout summer, and in September many colorful blooms continued to be active in bays across the region. Patches of macro-algae and organic debris are still numerous in South and Central Sound and in Padilla Bay. Jellyfish are occurring in unusual places.

While we document water quality issues, we also showcase the natural beauty of Puget Sound through photography.

Learn more about Eyes over Puget Sound


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Contact information

Christopher Krembs, PhD.
Lead Oceanographer
christopher.krembs@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6675