Strait of Juan de Fuca
The United States Geological Survey defines the Strait of Juan de Fuca as a channel. It extends east from the Pacific Ocean between Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, to Haro Strait, San Juan Channel, Rosario Strait, and Puget Sound. Its Pacific Ocean boundary is formed by a line between Cape Flattery and Tatoosh Island, Washington, and Carmanah Point (Vancouver Island), British Columbia. Its northern boundary follows the shoreline of Vancouver Island to Gonzales Point, then follows a continuous line east to Seabird Point (Discovery Island), British Columbia, Cattle Point (San Juan Islands), Washington, Iceberg Point (Lopez Island), Point Colville (Lopez Island), and then over Rosario Head (Fidalgo Island). The eastern boundary is a continuous line extending south from Rosario Head along Whidbey Island to Point Partridge and south to Point Wilson (Quimper Peninsula). The Washington mainland forms the southern boundary of the strait.
Because it is exposed to the generally westerly winds and waves of the Pacific, seas and weather in Juan de Fuca Strait are, on average, rougher than in the more protected waters inland. An international vehicle ferry crosses the Strait from Port Angeles, Washington to Victoria, British Columbia several times each day.
The strait remains the subject of a maritime boundary dispute between Canada and the US.
Counties along the Strait of Juan de Fuca:
- Clallam County, Washington
- Jefferson County, Washington
- Island County, Washington
- San Juan County, Washington
See also
