Observe the highest tide of the year and learn more about them Thursday, Jan. 14 during a viewing party sponsored by the Washington Sea Grant and Washington Department of Ecology

The viewing party, from 8-8:30 a.m. will be at the Edmonds Ferry Terminal, Brackett’s Landing, 100 Railroad Ave. It will feature hot beverages, snacks and a chance to learn about how you can get involved with the King Tides Project.

Bring your camera to photograph this annual event where Puget Sound overflows. Extreme high tides, or King Tides, are a dramatic feature of Washington winters. They occur at only a few specific times during the year when the moon is closest to the Earth.

“During these high water events, we get a glimpse of what our future around Puget Sound may look like as sea levels begin to rise as a result of climate change,” said an announcement from viewing party organizers. The actual height reached by a King Tide will depend on the local weather and ocean conditions on the day, they add.

To take part in the King Tides Project, photograph your favorite park, beach or wetland in the Puget Sound region during this month to document these extreme tides, then upload your photos to the King Tides Project at www.washington.kingtides.net. This project aims to promote awareness of the impacts of sea level rise to better visualize coastal areas that are vulnerable to rising tidal waters.

Washington Sea Grant, based at the University of Washington, provides statewide marine research, outreach, and education services, helping people understand and address the challenges facing our ocean and coasts. The National Sea Grant College Program is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

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