Ediz Hook facts for kids

Ediz Hook in 1973. Log rafts are waiting for a paper plant.

Ediz Hook is a long, narrow strip of land called a sand spit. It stretches about 3-mile-long (4.8 km) from the northern coast of the Olympic Peninsula in Port Angeles, USA. This sandy arm reaches out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It's like a natural wall protecting the harbor.

You can drive along much of Ediz Hook on Ediz Hook Road. This road offers amazing views of Port Angeles and the Olympic Mountains. You can see peaks like Mount Angeles. From the road, you might spot ships, orca pods, harbor seals, and other ocean animals. There are also public beaches perfect for finding shells or watching birds. The very end of the spit is used by the Coast Guard and is not open to visitors.

How Ediz Hook Was Formed

Ediz Hook was created by the power of wind and ocean tides. These forces carried sand and dirt from the Elwha River delta eastward. Over a very long time, this material built up, forming the spit. Because of this natural barrier, the water near Port Angeles stays calm. It is protected from the big ocean waves that come into the Strait.

A Home for Many Years

Long before European explorers arrived, people lived on Ediz Hook. The calm waters and sandy beaches made it a great place to settle. Archeologists have found proof of a community called Tse-whit-zen. The Klallam Native American people lived there for many generations.

Modern Uses and Protection

After white settlers arrived, the Ediz Hook Light was built. This lighthouse helped guide ships safely past the spit, especially in foggy weather. Today, the end of Ediz Hook is home to the Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles. It is also a base for pilots who guide large ships in the Puget Sound.

Protecting the Hook

For many years, Ediz Hook has been slowly wearing away, a process called erosion. Scientists believe this was partly because of dams on the Elwha River. These dams stopped the river from carrying enough sand and sediment to the coast.

Good news! The Elwha Ecosystem Restoration project has removed these dams. This means the Elwha River can now flow naturally again. This change is expected to help reduce erosion. Also, large boulders have been placed along the northwest side of the spit. These rocks help protect Ediz Hook and the Port Angeles Harbor from the strong waves.

Images for kids

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  The Olympic Mountains seen from Ediz Hook.

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  The Coast Guard station on the hook.