The eastern portion of the combined river basins lies within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park. Both rivers flow north and empty into the southern reaches of Puget Sound. The western portion of the basin, with fertile, alluvial lowlands, is mostly agriculture, while eastern uplands are mostly forested.
Summers are cool and winters mild.
The mean annual precipitation varies from 40 inches near the Sound to more than 120 inches on Mount Rainier, which receives heavy snowfall. Return to top of page. A deep-draft navigation channel extends from the deep water in Budd Inlet to a turning basin and the Port Terminal. A congressionally authorized feasibility study was initiated in fiscal year 1988 to examine the feasibility of navigation improvements to the existing deep-draft navigation channel. The study is sponsored by the Port of Olympia.