1. THE CEDAR RIVER OXBOW
RESTORATION
WHY PROTECT SALMON OXBOW ECOSYSTEMS RESTORATION EFFORTS
SALMON ARE A KEYSTONE SPECIES
• At least 137 different species depend on pacific wild salmon and the marine-rich nutrients that they provide
• Pacific salmon make up a $3 billion industry, supporting jobs and local economies/communities around the PNW
• Annual salmon runs function as pumps that transfer vast amounts of marine nutrients from the ocean to river
ecosystems
• Salmon runs provide essential nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen for surrounding trees/forests to grow and
protect the river banks from erosion as well as creating log jams to provide shelter for juvenile salmon in the
streams
• Oxbow wetlands or lakes are formed as the main channel of a river becomes more established and the bends
in a river are cut off from the river, but this oxbow was formed when a raised railroad bed was constructed
on the site and shifted the alignment of the cedar river main channel but the oxbow is still connected to the
river through a culvert under the railroad.
• Fish move into the oxbow to spawn, find food, avoid predators and find refuge from the high flows in the
main river channel. Not only is this type of environment extremely important to the survival of fish, but it
also supports a large variety of species including amphibians and birds.
Image source:
• New channel created connecting the wetland site to a spring-fed pond located
adjacent to the south and woody debris placed in the channel to regulate
water flow and provide refuge for juvenile salmon as shown in the above
picture
• This expansion increased habitat available for spawning sockeye salmon
• Up north of the site a culvert under the railroad connecting the wetland to the
cedar river was modified to prevent jams caused by beavers and increase
salmon flow to the site
• Native species were planted around the wetland and invasive species were
removed
• The results of the restoration included:
• Increased rearing and overwintering habitat for local
salmon and wetland species including amphibians
and birds
• Provide flood refuge habitat for local salmon
• Re-establishment of aquatic riparian areas
http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAnd
Plants/restoration-projects/wetland-79/oxbow.aspx
https://s-media-cache-
ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5a/6a/bb/5a6abb3dd174dd0b839dc03eec48f2b9.jpg
http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/restoration-projects/wetland-79/oxbow.aspx
Taj Singh
BES 362
References
Snyder et al. 1973. Soil Survey of King County, Washington. USDA.
Perkins, S. J. 1994. The Shrinking Cedar River. American Water Resources Association 1994
Annual Summer
Symposium. p. 649-658. Available online < http://geopacific.com/Perkins/links.htm>
King County. 1999. “Wetland 79 Fish Passage/SHRP Monitoring Report” in 1998 Annual
Report CIP Monitoring
Program. Wastewater Treatment Division King County Department of Natural Resources.
Dated March 1999.
King County. 2003a. King County Ecological Lands Handbook. King County Department of
Natural Resources and
Parks, Water and Land Resources Division. Seattle, Washington.
King County. 2001. Oxbows: Ecology and Importance. Available online at
<http://dnr.metrokc.gov/WTD/wetland79/oxbow.htm>
WHAT WAS DONE