The Washington State Transportation Commission is seeking names for its new ferry. We are asking you to sign and comment to support the ferry name WISHKAH!

The Wishkah River runs from the Olympic foothills to Grays Harbor. The Wishkah Indians were an early native people of the area. Before the first bridges were built, ferries crossed the Wishkah to reach the town of Aberdeen.

“Wishkah” is said to come from hwish-kahl, "stinking water." Maybe this meant the strong estuary air -- the Wishkah River is in the Chehalis tidal surge plain, where salt and freshwater mix and low tides expose the muddy river bed. The Wishkah's dark, brackish waters are ideal habitat for salmon that migrate between the ocean and the forest. The river is a historic and current source of fish to area Indian tribes, and today includes a volunteer-run hatchery. 

Over the years, the banks of the Wishkah have seen dairies and gardens, brick factories and sawmills, and canneries worked by Chinese and other immigrant laborers. “Wishkah” has further statewide significance -- and worldwide name recognition -- because of the album From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah, released by Washington's Nirvana in 1996.

The ferry name Wishkah would recognize Washington's history, culture, and valuable estuary ecosystem. To consider this proposal for the new hybrid electric Olympic Class (144-car) ferry, the State Transportation Commission needs to see support for the name. Please add your name and comment to submit with our application!

*Photograph of Wishkah River courtesy of Ian Dorsch