Colville Delta

The powerful outflow of the Colville River creates a shallow region that is rich with nutrients, making it ecologically significant for wildlife.

The waters of the Colville delta, along with the waters of Harrison Bay, make an ideal refuge for long-tailed ducks, king eiders, red-throated loons, Arctic terns, surf scoters, brant geese, and glaucous gulls.

[1] In summer and fall, migrating red-throated and yellow-billed loons and king and spectacled eiders stop in to rest and feed.

[2] Nearshore forage fish are important in Arctic food webs, linking energy from smaller prey items to larger predators like birds and marine mammals.

[5] Pregnant polar bears frequently build winter dens in and around the area[5][6][7] The Colville River used to host a small commercial fishery for Arctic ciscoes, and though the fishery is closed,[4] the river delta is still potential habitat for Salmonidae fishes like broad whitefish[8] and nearshore forage fishes like Arctic cod and capelin.