Research & Data

Use this portal to filter and search for all of our scientific information.

Ecology provides the high-quality science that is the foundation of Washington state environmental policy. Our monitoring, assessment, and modeling services provide a data-rich understanding of our state’s land, air, and water. We provide access to that data through reports, databases, maps and user-friendly online tools.

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Draft 2021-2025 Section 309 Assessment & Strategy

Every five years, states and territories are encouraged to conduct self-assessments of their coastal management programs to determine problems and enhancement opportunities within each of the nine enhancement areas—and to assess the effectiveness of existing management efforts to address identified problems.

https://ecology.wa.gov/washington-coastal-zone-management-section-309-ass

Governor's letter to the Director (non-dam alternative)

A letter from Governor Jay Inslee requesting the exploration of non-dam alternatives to the proposed Chehalis Basin River flood control dam

https://ecology.wa.gov/governor-s-non-dam-alternative-letter-ecology-and

Monitoring for toxic chemicals

We conduct long-term monitoring to understand levels and trends of toxics in the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/toxics-monitoring

Lake water quality monitoring & protection

Working with partners, we compile data on algae, invasive plants, and some toxic chemicals in lakes.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/lake-water-quality

River and stream monitoring

Our freshwater data helps us to assure clean and abundant water to support human and aquatic life.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/river-stream-monitoring

Marine water & sediment monitoring

We conduct water and sediment long-term monitoring to identify ecosystem changes.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/puget-sound-and-marine-monitoring

Wastewater testing

Whole effluent toxicity testing ensures wastewater does not harm aquatic life.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/wastewater-testing

Modeling the environment

Computer models mathematically represent part of the environment to predict potential changes.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/data-resources/models-spreadsheets/modeling-the-environment

Freshwater fish contaminant monitoring

We analyze freshwater fish for various toxic chemicals.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/toxics-monitoring/freshwater-fish-contaminant-monitoring

Island County annual BEACH report

Learn about the four beaches sampled for bacteria in Island County in the summer of 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/beach-annual-report/island-county

Habitat monitoring

We collect data on the health of environmental systems that support plant and animal life.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/river-stream-monitoring/habitat-monitoring

Mercury in fish tissue

We monitor mercury levels in freshwater fish throughout Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/toxics-monitoring/mercury-in-fish-tissue

Monitoring Puget Sound from ferries

We installed sensors on passenger ferries as a cost-effective way of collecting water quality data.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/puget-sound-and-marine-monitoring/monitoring-puget-sound-from-ferries

Skagit County annual BEACH report

We sampled Bay View State Park beach in Skagit County in the summer of 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/beach-annual-report/skagit-county

Jellyfish in Puget Sound

Jellyfish numbers may be increasing in Puget Sound. You can help us monitor them.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/puget-sound-and-marine-monitoring/jellyfish

Marine algae & plankton

Marine algae blooms are overgrowths of plankton. They can look like a spill in the water.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/puget-sound-and-marine-monitoring/marine-algae-plankton

Thurston County annual BEACH report

We sampled two beaches in Thurston County for bacteria in the summer of 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/beach-annual-report/thurston-county

Models and tools for water quality improvement

We use models to predict water quality changes to help find strategies to address pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/data-resources/models-spreadsheets/modeling-the-environment/models-tools-for-tmdls

Salish Sea Model

We use a computer tool that simulates hydrodynamic and water quality processes in the Salish Sea.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/data-resources/models-spreadsheets/modeling-the-environment/salish-sea-modeling