The Stillaguamish Watershed Council (SWC) has been dedicated to restoring and maintaining a healthy Stillaguamish River Watershed since 1990. The SWC provides a local forum in which agencies, organizations, communities, and the public can engage in a collaborative watershed based process of decision making and coordination. The SWC funds restoration projects throughout the watershed with an emphasis on Chinook Salmon habitat restoration as the Chinook is listed as threatened in the Endangered Species Act. This Slide Show highlights some of the work of the SWC.

1. www.stillaguamishwatershed.org
Dedicated to restoring and
maintaining a healthy
Stillaguamish River Watershed
since 1990

2. 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 SWC
www.stillaguamishwatershed.org

3. 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.
Location

4. 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.
Scope of Work

5. Port Susan Bay Restoration
Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy
Old Dike Before Old Dike After
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.
Old Dike During

6. Port Susan Bay Restoration
Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy
West Dike Before West Dike After
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.
West Dike During

7. Port Susan Bay Restoration
Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy
East Dike Before East Dike After
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.
East Dike During

8. Port Susan Bay Restoration
Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy
New Dike Before New Dike After
This new dike helped protect
private property from salt
water, while simultaneously
providing over 100 new
acres of fish and shorebird
habitat.
New Dike During

9. 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.
Location

10. 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.
Volunteers planting native
vegetation at the wetland
Aerial View of Arlington’s Stormwater
Wetland Near Haller Park

11. 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.
Pulling Weeds
Pulling Weeds
Documenting Knotweed

12. 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. As a
result approximately 1 mile
of new habitat is now
accessible to all species of
Pacific salmon and trout.
Project Location

13. Cherokee Creek Fish Passage Restoration
Sponsored by Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
Before: This culvert was Bridge After
preventing fish from
swimming upstream. 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.
During

14. Jim Creek Bank Restoration
Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
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.
Location

15. Jim Creek Bank Restoration
Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
Bank Before Bank After
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.
Bank During

16. 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.
Location

17. 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 Floodplain
Stillaguamish, across Forest Buffer
Enhancement
from the mouth of Jim
Creek. Bank Armor Mouth of Jim
Removed Creek
S. Fork Stillaguamish River.
Flows left to right in image
Restoration Overview

18. 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. Local school
children helped plant native trees and
shrubs, including a meadow and apple
orchard for deer habitat.
Each blue pipe is a native tree or
shrub planted as part of the project.
Local Students Planting

19. 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.
Location

20. 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 Wetland
Creek. The pink Orange
Rehabilitation
and orange on this
map are acres that Green Buffer
were restored to
wetlands, providin
Wetland
g fish and wildlife Pink
Reestablishment
habitat.
White Refugia Pond
Pilchuck Park Schematic

21. 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.
Pilchuck Park
Before

22. 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.
Kiosk during construction
Kiosk finished

23. 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.
Containers awaiting planting
Left: Students
Planting
Right: Natural
Resources Team
Planting

24. 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. Large woody debris was
installed to provide fish and wildlife habitat in
the restored wetlands.
Large Woody Debris

25. 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.

26. North Fork Riparian Restoration
Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
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
Location site in the future.

27. 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.

28. North Fork Riparian Restoration
Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
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
Before future.

29. Blue Slough Reconnection
Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
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.
Location

30. Blue Slough Reconnection
Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
This project reconnected
2500 feet of remnant side
1,200 ft of improved channel that has been
channel disconnected from the
9-ft culvert mainstem North Fork
6-ft culvert Stillaguamish since the
1930s. This project
Upper pond removed a 2-3 foot layer
Lower pond ~1.27 acres of "muck" and enough bed
~3.65 acres material to put the channel
1,030 ft at the elevation of the
channel river. The final phase of
construction installed new
corrugated metal culverts
to connect the slough to
the river at both ends
allowing continuous flow
Project Site Plan through the channel.

31. 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

32. Blue Slough Reconnection
Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
Coho and Chum were seen
spawning in the channel soon after
reconnection
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

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

34. Steelhead Haven Fine Sediment Reduction Project
Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
Expected Change This project built a
wood revetment 500
feet from the toe of
the Steelhead haven
landslide thereby
Log Cribwall Placement reducing fine
sediment inputs into
the North Fork
Stillaguamish. A
Expected Channel Migration
sediment retention
pond was also
constructed to
Expected Head cut capture surface
erosion off of the
landslide, also
reducing fine
sediment inputs into
the NF Stillaguamish.
Project Site Plan

35. Steelhead Haven Fine Sediment Reduction Project
Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
Cribwall 1,300 feet long, 25 feet What the river will see
high
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.

36. 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

37. Steelhead Haven Fine Sediment Reduction Project
Sponsored by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
20 Acre-feet of storage During the first flooding event the river
migrated toward the structure as
designed
A sediment retention pond was also constructed to capture surface
erosion off of the landslide, also reducing fine sediment inputs into
the NF Stillaguamish.

38. North Meander Reconnection Project
Sponsored by Snohomish County
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.
Location

39. North Meander Reconnection Project
Sponsored by Snohomish County
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

40. North Meander Reconnection Project
Sponsored by Snohomish County
Bridge installed to reconnect the channel
Culvert installed to reconnect the
channel
A box culvert and a bridge were installed to reconnect the channel and to
allow for fish passage

41. North Meander Reconnection Project
Sponsored by Snohomish County
300 pieces of woody debris were placed to
increase channel complexity and to create
pools and cover for fish.

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

43. 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

44. Wastewater Plant Updated
Sponsored by the City of Arlington
Wastewater plant was
upgraded to a
Membrane Bioreactor
Water Reclamation
plant

45. 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.

46. For more information about the Stillaguamish
Watershed Council visit our website at:
www.stillaguamishwatershed.org