Flagstaff Tombolo Erosion
A tombolo is a natural sandbar that connects an island to the mainland, or an island to another island. The latter is the case with the tombolo between Kiket and Flagstaff Islands in the Kukutali Preserve. They are built by wave action and currents flowing along the shoreline. A large driftwood field has formed on the south side (left in the photo). Broken clam shells marked the pathway along the sandbar. This is a traditional place of food gathering by the Swinomish people. A history of this activity is preserved by the broken shells.
As you can see in the photo, significant erosion has taken place. The clam shell path now veers off onto to the beach. This is recent, occurring sometime between November 16th and December 1st. The accumulation of driftwood on the right is also new. This section was previously a clean gravel beach.
This is a closer view of the erosion. A section of the clam shell path has washed away, then picks up again closer to the split rail barrier. Visitors are creating a new path along the narrow strip that remains.
As I can perceive, nothing has been done here by preservation efforts to cause this. I am wondering if the accumulation of new driftwood on the north side is disrupting the normal wave action. Could this be causing the erosion? Will the erosion eventually break through completely and separate the two islands? Would removing the driftwood allow the sandbar to rebuild? Is climate change playing a role here? One thing is for sure. Nature can build and nature can also destroy.
Other tombolos in the area can be seen at the following sites:
- Between Kiket Island and the Fidalgo mainland
- Lone Tree Point south of Kiket
- Between Fidalgo Island and Rosario Head at Bowman Bay
- Between Fidalgo Island and Reservation Head at Bowman Bay