Doty Hills Explained

Doty Hills
Country:United States
State:Washington
Region:Western Washington
Parent:Willapa Hills
Geology:Tertiary volcanic
Highest:Unnamed peak
Elevation Ft:2487
Elevation Ref:[1]
Coordinates:46.7097°N -123.3225°W
Map:USA Washington
Map Size:300
Range Coordinates:46.7097°N -123.3225°W

The Doty Hills are hills in Lewis County and Grays Harbor County in southwest Washington. The hills lie north of Doty, Washington and west of Chehalis, between the Black Hills to their north and the Willapa Hills to their south. They are considered part of the Willapa Hills physiographic province.[2]

Geography and geology

The highest point in the Doty Hills, an unnamed 2487feet summit, appears in the list of Washington State's top 200 peaks by topographic prominence.

The geology of the hills is Tertiary volcanic rock. Augite crystals can be found in the hills amongst porphyry tuff. Natrolite has been found at Lincoln Creek in the hills.

Natural resources

Forestry

Forestry is practiced on conifer tree farms in the unpopulated hills, which receive over annual precipitation, and possess a cool, cloudy climate. Native tree species include Pacific silver fir, Douglas fir, and western hemlock.

Wind power

In 2009, a 120 megawatt wind farm called was proposed in the Doty Hills. It was to be built on tree farm land leased from Weyerhaeuser, and would be the first large wind farm in the Pacific Northwest coastal hills. In November 2013, the developer put the project on hold due to insufficient demand for renewable energy.

Notes and References

  1. USGS Doty topographical quad via Lists of John ID 54357
  2. 1513656 . Willapa Hills . 2009-05-17. "Willapa Hills: Mountain range extending from the Columbia River N to the Chehalis River."