Located in Des Moines, Washington, 90 acre Saltwater State park features 1,500 feet of waterfront, picnic tables, barbecues, bathrooms, and a small diner. Many people visit for these amenities. Some visit for another reason, the newly installed artificial reef. In March 2009 the artificial reef started attracting divers almost as fast as marine life. Although the reefs are impressive the amount of marine life flocking to the structure is more impressive.
When gliding through the reef divers may see Rat fish, Giant Pacific Octopi, Sculpins, Rockfish, Gunnels, 
Warbonnets, Sole, Kelp Greenling, Skates, Ling Cods, and many other marine life species. With each visit, divers are likely to see more marine life inhabit the reef. Many critters rely on this new habitat for their home. The reef has three fingers that run perpendicular to the shore. The fingers start at about 25’ of water (depending on the tide) and slope to about 65’. The distance between each reef is about approximately 100’ (see dive map). One arguement against artificial reefs are that they attract such a large number fish that it encourages over fishing. Saltwater's reef is restricted from fishing and harvesting, life here continues to flourish.
Even though the reefs are impressive and the marine life is spectacular, what was removed to create the reef may provide the most environmental benefit. Amy Rhodes with A2Z Scuba said that Saltwater is the first dive site in Washington created with the environment in mind. The Department of Natural Resources removed old tire pilings that were placed there in the 1970s. Toxins in the rubber had leached into the water over time, creating potential hazards for fish in Puget Sound and the people who ate them. Even though the tires were toxic, fish and wildlife made the tires their home, the new reef provides a home for these animals. Think of it as Extreme Home Makeover, the marine version.
This new habitat has another benefit to the community, a bonding tool for divers. Pictures and videos cannot capture the exhilaration of diving. Floating weightlessly through the water while breathing makes a diver feel like super hero--Aquaman to be specific. 
This new dive site has attracted divers from around the Puget Sound. Saltwater is convenientyly located halfway between Tacoma and Seattle. Many divers have family members who do not dive. Saltwater provides an excellent location for divers and non-divers to gather and visit. Many times after a dive at Saltwater, divers express amazement at the amount of wildlife and the beauty of the dive. Rather than simply diving and quickly scrambling back to the car for a quick exit, divers bring their families and share their underwater experience with others. Saltwater’s artificial not only helps the environment by providing a non-toxic home to marine life, the convenient location also allows divers to congregate and share their experience.
One of the most effective ways to change behavior regarding the environment is through awareness. The scuba divers serve top side as the eyes and ears of the marine animals. When divers exit the water people ask about what they see, why they dive, and if there are sharks. Amy said, "It creates awareness in the community. The more divers that use the park, the more people, especially children, ask about "what is out there". By educating the community, the more people want to help preserve Puget Sound." This is a perfect opportunity to share the environmental benefits of the reef and the negative affect humans can have on the marine environment. This awareness may help spawn more artificial reefs in the Puget Sound area. As more and more people share their underwater experiences marine preservation will continue to improve. The benefits of this reef reach far beyond its marine inhabitants.
Click here to read entire interview with Amy Rhodes…
