Titlow Restoration to Advance Thanks to State Grant

Changes planned for Tacoma's Titlow Park will move to the design phase, thanks to a $92,000 grant from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Grant funds will be used to develop design and permits documents for replacement of a culvert with a 40 foot railroad bridge to improve connectivity and fish passage between Titlow Lagoon and Puget Sound. Project efforts will also develop design and permit documents for removal of pool and parking lot infrastructure on the footprint of the historic Lagoon/saltwater wetland for expansion of the existing lagoon and restoration of riparian and salt marsh habitat. Historically, Titlow Lagoon provided over five acres of intertidal habitat, with over 25 acres of marsh and forested wetland habitat. Currently the outlet to the lagoon is impounded by a 4-foot culvert which greatly inhibits fish passage and tidal connection between the lagoon and Puget Sound. 

WDFW staff say that the Titlow project and others funded this grant cycle will play important roles in advancing salmon recovery and other habitat restoration.

Restoration of Titlow Lagoon will lead to improvements in fish passage, sediment transport, and tidal flow, while increasing the quantity and quality of habitat available to young salmon and other nearshore species. The project will include a high-visibility educational opportunity to engage and educate the public in Puget Sound recovery efforts.

A new spray ground was installed and the old Titlow pool was removed in 2012 and 2013, providing the park's human visitors with upgrades. This funding for design and permitting will move the project a step closer to upgrades for fish and other wildlife visitors.

Spotted from the Daily Index.