Title Info: William E. Anderson Photographs, A Year at Edmonds Marsh, 2010-2019

This collection of digital images taken by William E. (Bill) Anderson documents Edmonds Marsh in Edmonds, Washington throughout Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Images include the marsh and its wildlife from 2010-2019.

Edmonds Marsh is one of the few urban saltwater estuaries remaining in the Puget Sound area. It is cared for by the City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. The marsh and coastal wetlands once encompassed about 100 acres along the shoreline of what is now the city of Edmonds. The Coast Salish peoples used the area for fishing, shellfish gathering, and plant harvesting. Development reduced this wetland to 22.5 acres, and the railroad and other man-made barriers blocked the tidewater flow. This caused freshwater to dominate the marsh, and it was overtaken by cattails.

Saltwater flow into Edmonds Marsh was reestablished in 1988 by opening a tide gate most of the year, allowing saltwater from Puget Sound into the marsh. As a result, the marsh has now reverted towards its former saltwater condition, and the area contains a diverse wildlife habitat supported by both fresh and saltwater vegetation.