Puget Sound Clam Gardens

Last year during a SUP touring clinic I hosted with R2AK paddler Karl Kruger on Orcas Island, Karl sparked my interest in finding evidence of indigenous Salish culture along Puget Sound.  

With 150 plus years of logging and development, I didn't think that was possible but Karl quickly pointed out a few signs just down the street from his Deer Harbor marina.  

He described the purpose of marker trees, which are trees shaped by native people to show territory, direction or point to a forage or fishing spot.  Once I saw what a marker tree looked like, I realized I've seen them around the Sound.  

Hooked on finding marker trees,  my research led me to other signs of indigenous culture including clam beds. Clam beds were designed to create, just that, a clam foraging spot along a beach or part of a beach not otherwise know for clamming. 

The beds design included building a rock wall or line or rocks which would collect sand inside thus creating the bed.  

Here's a few examples and links to check out.. 

BC Clam Garden

The Clam Garden Network

NW Coast Archaeology - Clam Gardens

Modern or recreated clam gardens:

Swinomish Clam Garden

NPR Story on Modern Clam Gardens

Posted by Rob Casey