Cultus Bay facts for kids
Cultus Bay is a small bay located in Island County, in the U.S. state of Washington. It's a natural water area that connects to the larger Puget Sound.
What Does "Cultus" Mean?
The name "Cultus" comes from the Chinook Jargon language. In Chinook Jargon, "cultus" means "worthless" or "of little value." It's interesting how some places get their names!
The Cultus Bay Estuary
A bay often connects to an estuary, which is a special area where fresh water from rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean. The Cultus Bay Estuary has been changed by people. It was "diked off," which means walls or barriers were built to separate it from the main bay.
How Water Flows in the Estuary
Because of these changes, the estuary doesn't get much natural tidal exchange. This means the ocean's tides don't bring in and take out as much salt water as they used to. There is a special "tide-gate" and a small pipe called a "culvert" that let a little bit of salt water move in and out. This limited water flow can affect the plants and animals that live there.
