Dedicated to restoring and maintaining a healthy

Stillaguamish River Watershed since 1990

www.stillaguamishwatershed.org

The mission of the Stillaguamish Watershed Council (SWC) is to maintain a healthy, functioning Stillaguamish Watershed by

providing a local forum in which agencies, organizations, communities, and the public

can engage in a collaborative watershed based process of decision making and

coordination.This slideshow highlights the work of the SWCwww.stillaguamishwatershed

.org

Port Susan Bay Restoration Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy

Location

The Nature Conservancy

worked for over 10 years to design and

implement a dike removal and set back project in

Port Susan Bay.  As a result, over 100 acres has

been returned to tidal influence.

Scope of Work

Port Susan Bay Restoration Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy removed the

dike labeled in red on this map and built a new,

set back dike along the area in

green.  As a result, over 100 acres has been returned to tidal influence, and is providing new habitat for fish and shorebirds.

Old Dike Before

Old Dike During

Old Dike After

Port Susan Bay Restoration Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy worked for over 10 years to

design and implement a dike removal and set

back project in Port Susan Bay.  As a result,

over 100 acres has been returned to tidal

influence.

West Dike Before

West Dike During

West Dike After

Port Susan Bay Restoration Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy removed this dike in Port Susan. 

As a result, over 100 acres has been returned to tidal

influence, and is now providing new habitat for fish and shorebirds.

East Dike Before

East Dike During

East Dike After

Port Susan Bay Restoration Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy worked for over 10 years to

design and implement a dike removal and set

back project in Port Susan Bay.  As a result,

over 100 acres has been returned to tidal

influence.

New Dike Before

New Dike During

New Dike After

Port Susan Bay Restoration Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy

This new dike helped protect private

property from salt water, while

simultaneously providing over 100

new acres of fish and shorebird habitat.

Stormwater Wetland Site Sponsored by The City of Arlington

Location

The City of Arlington's new Stormwater

Wetland is an innovative new

tertiary treatment facility, designed to filter out chemicals

and toxic substances before the water is

returned to the Stillaguamish River.

Aerial View of Arlington’s Stormwater Wetland Near Haller Park

Volunteers planting native vegetation at the wetland

Stormwater Wetland Site Sponsored by The City of Arlington

The City of Arlington's new Stormwater Wetland is an

innovative new tertiary treatment facility, designed to filter out chemicals and toxic

substances before the water is returned to the Stillaguamish

River.

Pulling Weeds

Pulling Weeds

Documenting Knotweed

Noxious Weed Control Efforts Sponsored by Snohomish County Noxious Weed Control Board

The Snohomish County Noxious Weed Control

Board oversees the efforts by Snohomish

County in controlling the spread and damage done

by dangerous invasive weeds such as Spartina and Japanese Knotweed.

Cherokee Creek Fish Passage Restoration Sponsored by Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Project Location

The Stillaguamish Tribe, in conjunction

with the Family Forest Fish Passage Program, replaced a culvert that

was blocking fish passage on Cherokee

Creek with a new bridge. As a result

approximately 1 mile of new habitat is now

accessible to all species of Pacific salmon and trout.

Before: This culvert was preventing fish from swimming upstream.

During

Bridge After

Cherokee Creek Fish Passage Restoration Sponsored by Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

The Stillaguamish Tribe, in conjunction

with the Family Forest Fish Passage Program, replaced a

culvert that was blocking fish passage on Cherokee Creek with a new bridge.

Jim Creek Bank Restoration Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Location

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians sponsored a riparian restoration project on Jim Creek that involved stabilizing a bank with natural logs and slash, planting a buffer with native vegetation and installing fencing that keeps livestock out of the creek. As a result, the water in Jim Creek downstream will be clearer, cleaner, and more friendly for fish.

Bank Before

Bank During

Bank After

Jim Creek Bank Restoration Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians sponsored a riparian restoration project on Jim Creek. As a result, the water downstream will be clearer, cleaner, and more friendly for fish.

South Fork Riparian Restoration Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Location

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians purchased and planted nearly 60 acres on the South Fork Stillaguamish, across from the mouth of Jim Creek.

Restoration Overview

South Fork Riparian Restoration Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians purchased and planted nearly 60 acres on the South Fork Stillaguamish, across from the mouth of Jim Creek.

Floodplain Forest

Bank Armor Removed

Buffer Enhancement

Mouth of Jim Creek

S. Fork Stillaguamish River. Flows left to right in image

South Fork Riparian Restoration Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Local Students Planting

Each blue pipe is a native tree or shrub planted as part of the project.

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians purchased and planted nearly 60 acres on the South Fork Stillaguamish, across from the mouth of Jim Creek. Local school children helped plant native trees and shrubs, including a meadow and apple orchard for deer habitat.

Pilchuck Park Construction Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Location

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians purchased and restored about 25 acres near the mouth of Pilchuck Creek. Wetland acres were restored to allow for fish and wildlife habitat, and a trail was installed to allow the public to enjoy this beautiful site.

Pilchuck Park Schematic

Pilchuck Park Construction Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians purchased and restored about 25 acres near the mouth of Pilchuck Creek. The pink and orange on this map are acres that were restored to wetlands, providing fish and wildlife habitat.

Orange Wetland Rehabilitation

Green Buffer

Pink Wetland Reestablishment

White Refugia Pond

Pilchuck Park Construction Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Pilchuck Park Before

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians purchased and restored about 25 acres near the mouth of Pilchuck Creek.

Kiosk during construction

Kiosk finished

Pilchuck Park Construction Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians purchased and restored about 25 acres near the mouth of Pilchuck Creek. Wetland acres were restored to allow for fish and wildlife habitat, and a trail was installed to allow the public to enjoy this beautiful site. This educational kiosk was also installed as part of this project.

Containers awaiting planting

Left: Students Planting

Right: Natural Resources

Team Planting

Pilchuck Park Construction Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians purchased and restored about 25 acres near the mouth of Pilchuck Creek. Wetland acres were restored to allow for fish and wildlife habitat, and a trail was installed to allow the public to enjoy this beautiful site.

Pilchuck Park Construction Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Large Woody Debris

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians purchased and restored about 25 acres near the mouth of Pilchuck Creek. Large woody debris was installed to provide fish and wildlife habitat in the restored wetlands.

Pilchuck Park Construction Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Views of the Park Today

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians purchased and restored about 25 acres near the mouth of Pilchuck Creek. Wetland acres were restored to allow for fish and wildlife habitat. The Stillaguamish Tribe sampled for fish here to determine usage by Stillaguamish Chinook and Coho salmon.

North Fork Riparian Restoration Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Location

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, in conjunction with Forterra, purchased and restored about 35 acres on the North Fork Stillaguamish. Dilapidated structures were demolished and removed, and a riparian buffer was planted with native vegetation. The Tribe has plans to install engineered log jams at this site in the future.

North Fork Riparian Restoration Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Property Before

Property Today

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, in conjunction with Forterra, purchased and restored about 35 acres on the North Fork Stillaguamish. Dilapidated structures were demolished and removed, and a riparian buffer was planted with native vegetation. The Tribe has plans to install engineered log jams at this site in the future.

North Fork Riparian Restoration Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Before

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, in conjunction with Forterra, purchased and restored about 35 acres on the North Fork Stillaguamish. Dilapidated structures were demolished and removed, and a riparian buffer was planted with native vegetation. The Tribe has plans to install engineered log jams at this site in the future.

Blue Slough Reconnection Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Location

This project reconnected 2500 feet of remnant side channel that has been disconnected from the mainstem North Fork Stillaguamish since the 1930s. This project removed a 2-3 foot layer of "muck" and enough bed material to put the channel at the elevation of the river. The final phase of construction installed new corrugated metal culverts to connect the slough to the river at both ends allowing continuous flow through the channel.

Blue Slough Reconnection Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Project Site Plan

This project reconnected 2500 feet of remnant side channel that has been disconnected from the mainstem North Fork Stillaguamish since the 1930s. This project removed a 2-3 foot layer of "muck" and enough bed material to put the channel at the elevation of the river. The final phase of construction installed new corrugated metal culverts to connect the slough to the river at both ends allowing continuous flow through the channel.

6-ft culvert

1,200 ft of improved channel

Lower pond~3.65 acres

Upper pond~1.27 acres

1,030 ft channel

9-ft culvert

Blue Slough Reconnection Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

This project reconnected a 2500 feet of remnant side channel that has been disconnected from the mainstem North Fork Stillaguamish since the 1930s. The final phase of construction installed new corrugated metal culverts to connect the slough to the river at both ends allowing continuous flow through the channel and providing winter and summer rearing for chinook juveniles. In addition, a log jam complex was installed near the upstream culvert to provide backwater refuge for smolts entering the side channel

Blue Slough Reconnection Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

This project reconnected a 2500 feet of remnant side channel that has been disconnected from the mainstem North Fork Stillaguamish since the 1930s. The final phase of construction installed new corrugated metal culverts to connect the slough to the river at both ends allowing continuous flow through the channel and providing winter and summer rearing for chinook juveniles. In addition, a log jam complex was installed near the upstream culvert to provide backwater refuge for smolts entering the side channel

Coho and Chum were seen spawning in the channel soon

after reconnection

Steelhead Haven Fine Sediment Reduction Project Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Location

This project built a wood revetment 500 feet from the toe of the Steelhead haven landslide thereby reducing fine sediment inputs into the North Fork Stillaguamish. A sediment retention pond was also constructed to capture surface erosion off of the landslide, also reducing fine sediment inputs into the NF Stillaguamish.

Steelhead Haven Fine Sediment Reduction Project Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Project Site Plan

This project built a wood revetment 500 feet from the toe of the Steelhead haven landslide thereby reducing fine sediment inputs into the North Fork Stillaguamish. A sediment retention pond was also constructed to capture surface erosion off of the landslide, also reducing fine sediment inputs into the NF Stillaguamish.

Expected Channel Migration

Expected Head cut

Expected Change

Log Cribwall Placement

Steelhead Haven Fine Sediment Reduction Project Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

This project built a wood revetment 500 feet from the toe of the Steelhead haven landslide thereby reducing fine sediment inputs into the North Fork Stillaguamish.

Cribwall 1,300 feet long, 25 feet high

What the river will see

Steelhead Haven Fine Sediment Reduction Project Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

This project built a wood revetment 500 feet from the toe of the Steelhead haven landslide thereby reducing fine sediment inputs into the North Fork Stillaguamish.

Left: Aerial view of the wood revetment backfilled with wood debris Below: Close up of backfill

Steelhead Haven Fine Sediment Reduction Project Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

A sediment retention pond was also constructed to capture surface erosion off of the landslide, also reducing fine sediment inputs into the NF Stillaguamish.

20 Acre-feet of storage During the first flooding event the river migrated toward the

structure as designed

North Meander Reconnection Project Sponsored by Snohomish County

Location

The North Meander project increases side-channel slough habitat by 1.8 hectares - an increase of 18.5% over existing amounts - or 8% of the historical loss in lower river, by reconnecting 3,300 feet of side channel. 300 pieces of large woody debris were placed for complex edge and cover. A box culvert and a bridge were installed to reconnect the channel.

Left: Project Site Plan

The North Meander project increases side-channel slough habitat by 1.8 hectares - an increase of 18.5% over existing amounts - or 8% of the historical loss in lower river, by reconnecting 3,300 feet of side channel. 300 pieces of large woody debris were placed for complex edge and cover. A box culvert and a bridge were installed to reconnect the channel.

North Meander Reconnection Project Sponsored by Snohomish County

A box culvert and a bridge were installed to reconnect the channel and to allow for fish passage

North Meander Reconnection Project Sponsored by Snohomish County

Culvert installed to reconnect the channel

Bridge installed to reconnect the channel

300 pieces of woody debris were placed to increase channel

complexity and to create pools and cover for fish.

North Meander Reconnection Project Sponsored by Snohomish County

Eagle Creek Barrier Removal and Riparian Restoration Sponsored by the City of Arlington

Location

This project directly addresses the degraded conditions by working with the private landowner to repair and restore the first 1000’ (12%) of the stream’s riparian corridor, and to provide for fish passage to the upper 9000’ of stream corridor through the removal of two collapsed culverts & enhancement of native riparian vegetation largely with native conifers and riparian shrubs.

Eagle Creek Barrier Removal and Riparian Restoration Sponsored by the City of Arlington

This project will directly address these degraded conditions by working with the private landowner to repair and restore the first 1000’ (12%) of the stream’s riparian corridor, and to provide for fish passage to the upper 9000’ of stream corridor through the removal of two collapsed culverts & enhancement of native riparian vegetation largely with native conifers and riparian shrubs.

Volunteers planting native riparian vegetation

Wastewater Plant Updated Sponsored by the City of Arlington

Wastewater plant was upgraded to a Membrane Bioreactor Water Reclamation plant

Riparian Enhancement Inmate Crew Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

The Stillaguamish Tribe has partnered with the

Snohomish County Department of

Corrections to establish a Riparian Enhancement Inmate Crew. Minimum

security inmates participate in this

program, helping with a variety of restoration

projects throughout our watershed. They control

dangerous invasive weeds and plant

thousands of native plants each year.

For more information about the Stillaguamish Watershed Council visit

our website at:

www.stillaguamishwatershed.org